👤 Alberto Blanco

Pesticides are essential for modern agriculture but raise concerns about potential neurodevelopmental consequences, leading to bans in some countries. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) on behavior and DNA methylation, considering genetic susceptibility via the apolipoprotein E ( Show less

Hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 2 (HAPLN2) / Brain link protein-1 (Bral1) is important for the binding of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) to hyaluronan and thus for the formation of specific types of brain extracellular matrix (ECM). It is also significantly increased with aging. Moreover, machine learning has identified it as a brain-derived protein most predictive of Alzheimer's disease (AD). HAPLN2 binds to CSPGs that may sequester aggregation-prone proteins and also restrict neuronal plasticity. Because the apolipoprotein 4 (APOE4) allele increases AD risk, in the present study we have examined hippocampal lysates from APOE3 and APOE4 targeted replacement (TR) mice using unbiased proteomics, Western blot and hippocampal immunostaining. With proteomics, we observe that HAPLN2 is among the most significantly upregulated proteins in APOE4 mice. Prior work suggests HAPLN2 is particularly important to the assembly of perinodal matrix, and herein we show that it also colocalizes with Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) positive perineuronal nets (PNNs). PNNs represent a dense form of ECM that can increase GABAergic neurotransmission to alter overall excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance and neuronal oscillations important to mood and memory. Proteomics also detected elevated levels of high temperature requirement peptidase-1 (HTRA1), which accumulates in cerebral blood vessels harboring amyloid, in APOE4 mice. In Western blot studies, lysates from APOE4 mice also showed significantly reduced levels chondroitin-6 sulfated proteoglycans, which makes PNNs more susceptible to proteolysis and less inhibitory. In addition, immunostaining studies showed that levels of the PNN component aggrecan were increased in the hippocampus of APOE4 animals. Overall, these findings contribute to an emerging body of literature suggesting that brain extracellular matrix may be altered with aging and other risk factors for AD, and suggest that future studies should assess PNNs, peri-nodal structure and axonal conduction in the background of APOE4. Show less

Early diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in asymptomatic stages is essential for the timely management of patients using preventative strategies. We develop and validate a prognostic model useful for predicting the incidence of radiographic KOA (rKOA) in non-radiographic osteoarthritic subjects and stratify individuals at high risk of developing the disease. Subjects without radiographic signs of KOA according to the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) classification scale (KL=0 in both knees) were enrolled in the OA initiative (OAI) cohort and the Prospective Cohort of A Coruña (PROCOAC). Prognostic models were developed to predict rKOA incidence during a 96-month follow-up period among OAI participants based on clinical variables and serum levels of the candidate protein biomarkers APOA1, APOA4, ZA2G and A2AP. The predictive capability of the biomarkers was assessed based on area under the curve (AUC), and internal validation was performed to correct for overfitting. A nomogram was plotted based on the regression parameters. Model performance was externally validated in the PROCOAC. 282 participants from the OAI were included in the development dataset. The model built with demographic, anthropometric and clinical data (age, sex, body mass index and WOMAC pain score) showed an AUC=0.702 for predicting rKOA incidence during the follow-up. The inclusion of ZA2G, A2AP and APOA1 data significantly improved the model's sensitivity and predictive performance (AUC=0.831). The simplest model, including only clinical covariates and ZA2G and A2AP serum levels, achieved an AUC=0.826. Both models were internally cross-validated. Predictive performance was externally validated in an independent dataset of 100 individuals from the PROCOAC (AUC=0.713). A novel prognostic model based on common clinical variables and protein biomarkers was developed and externally validated to predict rKOA incidence over a 96-month period in individuals without any radiographic signs of disease. The resulting nomogram is a useful tool for stratifying high-risk populations and could potentially lead to personalised medicine strategies for treating OA. Show less

Germline pathogenic variants in checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) are associated with a moderately increased risk of breast cancer (BC). The spectrum of clinicopathologic features and genetics of these tumors has not been fully established. We characterized the histopathologic and clinicopathologic features of 44 CHEK2-associated BCs from 35 women, and assessed responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A subset of cases (n = 23) was additionally analyzed using targeted next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS). Most (94%, 33/35) patients were heterozygous carriers for germline CHEK2 variants, and 40% had the c.1100delC allele. Two patients were homozygous, and five had additional germline pathogenic variants in ATM (2), PALB2 (1), RAD50 (1), or MUTYH (1). CHEK2-associated BCs occurred in younger women (median age 45 years, range 25-75) and were often multifocal (20%) or bilateral (11%). Most (86%, 38/44) were invasive ductal carcinomas of no special type (IDC-NST). Almost all (95%, 41/43) BCs were ER + (79% ER + HER2-, 16% ER + HER2 + , 5% ER-HER2 +), and most (69%) were luminal B. Nottingham grade, proliferation index, and results of multiparametric molecular testing were heterogeneous. Biallelic CHEK2 alteration with loss of heterozygosity was identified in most BCs (57%, 13/23) by NGS. Additional recurrent alterations included GATA3 (26%), PIK3CA (226%), CCND1 (22%), FGFR1 (22%), ERBB2 (17%), ZNF703 (17%), TP53 (9%), and PPM1D (9%), among others. Responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy were variable, but few patients (21%, 3/14) achieved pathologic complete response. Most patients (85%) were without evidence of disease at time of study (n = 34). Five patients (15%) developed distant metastasis, and one (3%) died (mean follow-up 50 months). Almost all CHEK2-associated BCs were ER + IDC-NST, with most classified as luminal B with or without HER2 overexpression. NGS supported the luminal-like phenotype and confirmed CHEK2 as an oncogenic driver in the majority of cases. Responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy were variable but mostly incomplete. Show less

Different medical therapies have been developed for pituitary adenomas. However, Non-Functioning Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors (NF-PitNET) have shown little response to them. Furthermore, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been linked to resistance to medical treatment in a significant number of tumors, including pituitary adenomas. We aimed to evaluate the expression of EMT-related markers in 72 NF-PitNET and 16 non-tumoral pituitaries. To further explore the potential usefulness of medical treatment for NF-PitNET we assessed the expression of somatostatin receptors and dopamine-associated genes. We found that NF-PitNET showed an enhanced EMT phenomenon. Show less

Apolipoprotein A-IV amyloidosis is an uncommon form of the disease normally resulting in renal and cardiac dysfunction. ApoA-IV amyloidosis was identified in 16 patients attending the National Amyloidosis Centre and in eight clinical samples received for histology review. Unexpectedly, proteomics identified the presence of ApoA-IV signal sequence residues (p.18-43 to p.20-43) in 16/24 trypsin-digested amyloid deposits but in only 1/266 non-ApoA-IV amyloid samples examined. These additional signal residues were also detected in the cardiac sample from the Swedish patient in which ApoA-IV amyloid was first described, and in plasma from a single cardiac ApoA-IV amyloidosis patient. The most common signal-containing peptide observed in ApoA-IV amyloid, p.20-43, and to a far lesser extent the N-terminal peptide, p.21-43, were fibrillogenic in vitro at physiological pH, generating Congo red-positive fibrils. The addition of a single signal-derived alanine residue to the N-terminus has resulted in markedly increased fibrillogenesis. If this effect translates to the mature circulating protein in vivo, then the presence of signal may result in preferential deposition as amyloid, perhaps acting as seed for the main circulating native form of the protein; it may also influence other ApoA-IV-associated pathologies. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Show less

Genetic testing of patients with inherited kidney diseases has emerged as a tool of clinical utility by improving the patients' diagnosis, prognosis, surveillance and therapy. The present study applied a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based panel, named NephroPlex, testing 115 genes causing renal diseases, to 119 individuals, including 107 probands and 12 relatives. Thirty-five (poly)cystic and 72 non (poly)cystic individuals were enrolled. The latter subgroup of patients included Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) patients, as major components. Disease-causing mutations were identified in 51.5 and 40% of polycystic and non-polycystic individuals, respectively. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients with truncating PKD1 variants showed a trend towards a greater slope of the age-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) regression line than patients with (i) missense variants, (ii) any PKD2 mutations and (iii) no detected mutations, according to previous findings. The analysis of BBS individuals showed a similar frequency of BBS4,9,10 and 12 mutations. Of note, all BBS4-mutated patients harbored the novel c.332+1G>GTT variant, which was absent in public databases, however, in our internal database, an additional heterozygote carrier was found. All BBS4-mutated individuals originated from the same geographical area encompassing the coastal provinces of Naples. In conclusion, these findings indicate the potential for a genetic panel to provide useful information at both clinical and epidemiological levels. Show less

Although hundreds of genome-wide association studies-implicated loci have been reported for adult obesity-related traits, less is known about the genetics specific for early-onset obesity and with only a few studies conducted in non-European populations to date. Searching for additional genetic variants associated with childhood obesity, we performed a trans-ancestral meta-analysis of 30 studies consisting of up to 13 005 cases (≥95th percentile of body mass index (BMI) achieved 2-18 years old) and 15 599 controls (consistently <50th percentile of BMI) of European, African, North/South American and East Asian ancestry. Suggestive loci were taken forward for replication in a sample of 1888 cases and 4689 controls from seven cohorts of European and North/South American ancestry. In addition to observing 18 previously implicated BMI or obesity loci, for both early and late onset, we uncovered one completely novel locus in this trans-ancestral analysis (nearest gene, METTL15). The variant was nominally associated with only the European subgroup analysis but had a consistent direction of effect in other ethnicities. We then utilized trans-ancestral Bayesian analysis to narrow down the location of the probable causal variant at each genome-wide significant signal. Of all the fine-mapped loci, we were able to narrow down the causative variant at four known loci to fewer than 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (FAIM2, GNPDA2, MC4R and SEC16B loci). In conclusion, an ethnically diverse setting has enabled us to both identify an additional pediatric obesity locus and further fine-map existing loci. Show less

In the present study, we explored potential protein biomarkers useful to predict the therapeutic response of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients treated with pharmaceutical grade Chondroitin sulfate/Glucosamine hydrochloride (CS+GH; Droglican, Bioiberica), in order to optimize therapeutic outcomes. A shotgun proteomic analysis by iTRAQ labelling and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed using sera from 40 patients enrolled in the Multicentre Osteoarthritis interVEntion trial with Sysadoa (MOVES). The panel of proteins potentially useful to predict KOA patient's response was clinically validated in the whole MOVES cohort at baseline ( In the discovery phase of the study, a panel of six putative predictive biomarkers of response to CS+GH (APOA2, APOA4, APOH, ITIH1, C4BPa and ORM2) were identified by shotgun proteomics. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD012444. In the verification phase, the panel was verified in a larger set of KOA patients ( Combining clinical and analytical parameters, we identified one biomarker that could accurately predict KOA patients' response to CS+GH treatment. Its use would allow an increase in response rates and safety for the patients suffering KOA. Show less

A better understanding of gene expression and metabolic pathways in response to a feeding system is critical for identifying key physiological processes and genes associated with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content in lamb meat. The main objective of this study was to investigate transcriptional changes in Show less

Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs activate pregnane X receptors and constitutive androstane receptors, increasing the risk of drug interactions due to altered drug metabolism and disposition. The closely related liver X receptors (LXRα/β), oestrogen receptors (ERα/β) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) regulate many endogenous processes such as lipid/cholesterol homeostasis, cellular differentiation and inflammation. However, ARV drug activation of these nuclear receptors has not been thoroughly investigated. The ability of an ARV drug library to activate LXRα/β, ERα/β and GR was assessed using a combined in silico and in vitro approach encompassing computational docking and molecular descriptor filtering, cell-free time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer co-activator assays to assess direct binding to ligand-binding domains (LBDs), cell-based reporter assays and target gene expression. Direct LBD interactions with LXRα and/or LXRβ were predicted in silico and confirmed in vitro for darunavir, efavirenz, flavopiridol, maraviroc and tipranavir. Likewise, efavirenz was also predicted and confirmed as a ligand of ERα-LBD. Interestingly, atazanavir and ritonavir also activated LXRα/β in reporter assays, while tipranavir enhanced transcriptional activity of ERα. Effects on ER and LXR target gene expression were confirmed for efavirenz and tipranavir. There was good agreement between in silico predictions and in vitro results. However, some nuclear receptor interactions identified in vitro were probably due to allosteric effects or nuclear receptor cross-talk, rather than direct LBD binding. This study indicates that some of the adverse effects associated with ARV use may be mediated through 'off-target' effects involving nuclear receptor activation. Show less

Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) constitute a branch of epigenetic mechanisms that can control the expression of eukaryotic genes in a heritable manner. Recent studies have identified several PTM-binding proteins containing diverse specialized domains whose recognition of specific PTM sites leads to gene activation or repression. Here, we present a high-throughput proteogenomic platform designed to characterize the nucleosomal make-up of chromatin enriched with a set of histone PTM binding proteins known as histone PTM readers. We support our findings with gene expression data correlating to PTM distribution. We isolated human mononucleosomes bound by the bromodomain-containing proteins Brd2, Brd3 and Brd4, and by the chromodomain-containing heterochromatin proteins HP1β and HP1α. Histone PTMs were quantified by mass spectrometry (ChIP-qMS), and their associated DNAs were mapped using deep sequencing. Our results reveal that Brd- and HP1-bound nucleosomes are enriched in histone PTMs consistent with actively transcribed euchromatin and silent heterochromatin, respectively. Data collected using RNA-Seq show that Brd-bound sites correlate with highly expressed genes. In particular, Brd3 and Brd4 are most enriched on nucleosomes located within HOX gene clusters, whose expression is reduced upon Brd4 depletion by short hairpin RNA. Proteogenomic mapping of histone PTM readers, alongside the characterization of their local chromatin environments and transcriptional information, should prove useful for determining how histone PTMs are bound by these readers and how they contribute to distinct transcriptional states. Show less

The gene-poor human-specific Xq21.3/Yp11.2 block of homology exhibits 99% nucleotide identity, with the exception of an internal X-specific region containing the marker DXS214. This paper describes the characterization of a novel gene (PABPC5) from this X-specific subinterval that belongs to the poly(A)-binding protein gene family. The genomic structure of PABPC5 covers 4061 bp of an uninterrupted open reading frame (ORF) and a 5'UTR spanning across two exons and associated with a CpG island; the potential 382-amino-acid protein contains four RNA recognition motif domains. PABPC5 has 73% nucleotide identity with PABPC4 over 1801 bp of the ORF. At the protein level, 60% identity and 75% similarity are obtained in the comparison with human PABPC4, as well as human, mouse, and Xenopus PABPC1. RT-PCR indicates that PABPC5 is expressed in fetal brain and in a range of adult tissues. Conservation of the PABPC5 ORF and genomic structure is shown in primates and rodents. The close proximity of this gene to translocation breakpoints associated with premature ovarian failure makes it a potential candidate for this condition. Show less

Previous studies have shown that the A-IV-347Ser polymorphism is associated with the variability in low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol response to dietary therapy. The present study was designed to evaluate the association of this polymorphism with the individual variability observed in postprandial lipemic response. This polymorphism was characterized in 50 healthy male subjects homozygous for the apolipoprotein (apo)E3 allele. All subjects were subjected to a vitamin A-fat load test. Blood was drawn at time 0 and every hour over a period of 11 hours. Cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) in plasma and lipoprotein fractions of CH, TG, and retinyl palmitate (RP) were determined. Data from the postprandial lipemia revealed that subjects with the A-IV-347Ser allele (n = 14) have a lower postprandial response in total TG (P < 0.025), large triglyceride rich lipoproteins (TRL) TG (P < 0.02), and small-TRL TG levels (P < 0.007), and a higher postprandial response in large-TRL apoA-IV (P < 0.006) and apoB-100 (P < 0.041) levels than subjects homozygous for the A-IV-347Thr subjects (n = 36). In conclusion, the modifications observed in postprandial lipoprotein metabolism associated with this polymorphism within the apoA-IV gene locus may be involved in the variability in LDL-CH response observed in subjects consuming high saturated fat diets. Show less

The S2 allele of the SstI polymorphism of the apolipoprotein (apo) C-III gene has been associated with elevated triacylglycerol concentrations, high blood pressure, and increased risk of coronary artery disease, all of which are characteristic of an insulin-resistant state. To study the effect of this mutation on carbohydrate metabolism in healthy persons, we gave 41 male subjects 3 consecutive diets. The first was rich in saturated fat [15% protein, 47% carbohydrate, 38% fat (20% saturated)], the second was a National Cholesterol Education Program Step 1 diet [15% protein, 57% carbohydrate, 28% fat (< 10% saturated)], and the last was rich in monounsaturated fat [15% protein, 47% carbohydrate, 38% fat (22% monounsaturated, < 10% saturated)]. At the end of each dietary period, subjects received an oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT). Apo C-III genotype significantly affected basal glucose concentrations (P < 0.045) and insulin concentrations after the OGTT (P < 0.012). APOC3*S1/APOC3*S2 subjects (n = 13) had higher insulin concentrations after the OGTT than APOC3*S1/APOC3*S1 subjects (n = 28) in the 3 periods (diet 1: P < 0.0004; diet 2: P < 0.01; diet 3: P < 0.008). Multiple regression analysis showed that this polymorphism predicted the insulin response to the OGTT (P < 0.031) and the difference between basal insulin concentrations and insulin concentrations after the OGTT (P < 0.002) with the saturated fat diet. In summary, our results suggest that the mutation in the apo C-III gene affects insulin response to an OGTT, which could result in reduced sensitivity to insulin, especially when persons consume diets rich in saturated fat. Show less

The plasma lipid response to changes in dietary fat and cholesterol can vary between individuals. The SstI polymorphism, arising from a cytosine to guanosine substitution in the 3' untranslated region of the APOC3 gene distinguishes between two alleles--S1 and S2. The S2 allele has been associated with elevated plasma triacylglycerol, cholesterol, and apolipoprotein (apo) C-III concentrations. In 90 young men we examined the effect of the same mutation on the response of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to dietary monounsaturated fat. The frequency for the S2 allele was 0.14. Subjects were fed a low-fat diet for 25 d, followed by a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acid (22% MUFA, 38% total fat) for 28 d; lipoproteins were measured at the end of each diet. There were no significant differences in initial total cholesterol between subjects with the APOC3*S1/APOC3*S1 (S1/S1) and APOC3*S1/APOC3*S2 (S1/S2) genotypes. After consumption of the diet high in MUFA, significant increases in LDL cholesterol (0.13 mmol/L, P < 0.027) were noted in the S1/S1 subjects whereas a significant decrease was observed in the S1/S2 subjects (-0.18 mmol/L, P < 0.046). Significant genotypic effects were seen for diet-induced changes in LDL cholesterol (P < 0.00034), total cholesterol (P < 0.009), and apo B (P < 0.0014). A study of the effect of the interaction between this mutation with that present in position -76 of the APOA1 gene promoter region (G/A) revealed that both mutations had an additive effect on changes in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and apo B induced by diets. Plasma LDL-cholesterol responsiveness to the diet may be explained, at least in part, by variation at the APOC3 gene locus. Show less