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International Immunopharmacology Sep 2020The beginning of 2020 was marked as the emergence of a COVID-19 outbreak caused by a new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)....
The beginning of 2020 was marked as the emergence of a COVID-19 outbreak caused by a new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Currently, there is no vaccine or approved treatment for this infectious virus so the invention of an efficient vaccine is certainly a high priority. Some studies have employed several techniques to facilitate the combination of the immunoinformatics approach and comparative genomic approach in order to determine the potential peptides for designing the T-cell epitope-based peptide vaccine using the 2019-nCoV envelope protein as a target. Via screening the bioimmunoinformatic SARS-CoV2 derived B-cell and T-cell epitopes within the basic immunogenic of SARS-CoV2 proteins, we presented a set of inferred B-cell and T-cell epitopes from the spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins with high antigenicity and without allergenic property or toxic effects. Our findings provide a screened set of epitopes that can be introduced as potential targets for developing peptide vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Computational Biology; Coronavirus Infections; Drug Development; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; Humans; Nucleocapsid Proteins; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Vaccines, Subunit; Viral Vaccines
PubMed: 32683296
DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106738 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2021In this study, we aimed to detect Succinate Dehydrogenase Complex Iron Sulfur Subunit B (SDHB) frequency in paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (PPGL) with...
Succinate Dehydrogenase Complex Iron Sulfur Subunit B (SDHB) Immunohistochemistry in Pheochromocytoma, Head and Neck Paraganglioma, Thoraco-Abdomino-Pelvic Paragangliomas: Is It a Good Idea to Use in Routine Work?
BACKGROUND
In this study, we aimed to detect Succinate Dehydrogenase Complex Iron Sulfur Subunit B (SDHB) frequency in paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (PPGL) with immunohistochemistry; compare with Pheochromacytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) classification and analyse the differences between pheochromocytoma (Pheo), head-neck paragangliomas (HNPGL) and thoraco-abdominal-pelvic paraganglioma (TAPPGL) sub-groups.
METHODS
A total 114 PPGL cases (73 HNPGL, 15 TAPPGL and 27 Pheo belonging to 112 cases) are included. Immunohistochemically, SDHB and Ki-67 are investigated and malignancy risks are determined by PASS classification. Results are assessed statistically with chi-square test and p <0,01 is considered significant.
RESULTS
SDHB mutations are observed in 20 of 114 (17.54 %) PPGL cases, 3 (11,12%) of which is Pheo, 12 (16,44) is HNPGL, and 5 (35,71%) is TAPPGL (P <0,02). While 15/82 (18,29%) cases with SDHB mutations do not have a malignancy potential according to PASS classification, 5/32 (15,63%) cases has (p=0,73). TAPPGL, HNPGL and Pheo sub-groups have a significant difference between SDHB expression (p <0,02), malignancy potential according to PASS classification (p <0,0001) and Ki-67 proliferation index (p <0,0001).
CONCLUSION
To identify patients for molecular pathological examination, routine application of SDHB immunohistochemistry to PPGL tumors are suggested especially in HNPGLs.
Topics: Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Paraganglioma; Pheochromocytoma; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Thoracic Neoplasms
PubMed: 34181326
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.6.1721 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... May 2020Primary studies have shown that the IL-12B rs3212227 and IL-6 rs1800795 polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. However, conflicting... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Primary studies have shown that the IL-12B rs3212227 and IL-6 rs1800795 polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. However, conflicting results warrant a meta-analysis to obtain more precise estimates.
METHODS
A comprehensive literate search on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, and SciELO was performed to collect all eligible studies up to November 10, 2019. The pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to calculate the risk. This meta-analysis was carried out by utilizing CMA software.
RESULTS
A total of eleven case-control studies including four studies on IL-12B rs3212227 and seven studies on IL-6 rs1800795 were selected. Pooled ORs revealed that the IL-6 rs1800795 polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer (C vs. G: OR = 1.294, 95% CI 1.071-1.564, p= 0.007; CC vs. GG: OR = 1.633, 95% CI 1.059-2.520, p= 0.027; CC+CG vs. GG: OR = 1.312, 95% CI 1.048-1.643, p= 0.018; and CC vs. CG+GG: OR = 1.592, 95% CI 1.268-1.999, p≤0.001), but not IL-12B rs3212227 polymorphism. Stratified analysis by ethnicity revealed that both IL-12B rs3212227 and IL-6 rs1800795 polymorphisms were associated with risk of cervical cancer in Asian women.
CONCLUSIONS
Our pooled data revealed that the IL-12B rs3212227 and IL-6 rs1800795 polymorphisms may be used to identify individuals at high risk of cervical cancer in Asian women.
.Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Interleukin-12 Subunit p40; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Prognosis; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 32458622
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.5.1197 -
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... Mar 2022Recently emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants may pose a threat to immunity. A systematic landscape of neutralizing antibodies...
Neutralizing Antibodies Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants Induced by Natural Infection or Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis.
Recently emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants may pose a threat to immunity. A systematic landscape of neutralizing antibodies against emerging variants is needed. We systematically searched for studies that evaluated neutralizing antibody titers induced by previous infection or vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 variants and collected individual data. We identified 106 studies meeting the eligibility criteria. Lineage B.1.351 (beta), P.1 (gamma) and B.1.617.2 (delta) significantly escaped natural infection-mediated neutralization, with an average of 4.1-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6-4.7-fold), 1.8-fold (1.4-2.4-fold), and 3.2-fold (2.4-4.1-fold) reduction in live virus neutralization assay, while neutralizing titers against B.1.1.7 (alpha) decreased slightly (1.4-fold [95% CI: 1.2-1.6-fold]). Serum from vaccinees also led to significant reductions in neutralization of B.1.351 across different platforms, with an average of 7.1-fold (95% CI: 5.5-9.0-fold) for nonreplicating vector platform, 4.1-fold (3.7-4.4-fold) for messenger RNA platform, and 2.5-fold (1.7-2.9-fold) for protein subunit platform. Neutralizing antibody levels induced by messenger RNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants were similar to, or higher, than that derived from naturally infected individuals.
Topics: Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Vaccination
PubMed: 34302458
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab646 -
Molecular Brain Jun 2020The present review systematically summarized existing publications regarding the genetic associations between voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) and autism spectrum...
OBJECTIVES
The present review systematically summarized existing publications regarding the genetic associations between voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted to gather pertinent studies in three online databases. Two authors independently screened the included records based on the selection criteria. Discrepancies in each step were settled through discussions.
RESULTS
From 1163 resulting searched articles, 28 were identified for inclusion. The most prominent among the VGCCs variants found in ASD were those falling within loci encoding the α subunits, CACNA1A, CACNA1B, CACNA1C, CACNA1D, CACNA1E, CACNA1F, CACNA1G, CACNA1H, and CACNA1I as well as those of their accessory subunits CACNB2, CACNA2D3, and CACNA2D4. Two signaling pathways, the IP3-Ca pathway and the MAPK pathway, were identified as scaffolds that united genetic lesions into a consensus etiology of ASD.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence generated from this review supports the role of VGCC genetic variants in the pathogenesis of ASD, making it a promising therapeutic target. Future research should focus on the specific mechanism that connects VGCC genetic variants to the complex ASD phenotype.
Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Calcium Channels; Calcium Signaling; Genetic Association Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Protein Subunits
PubMed: 32571372
DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00634-0 -
BMC Cancer Sep 2022Approximately 40% of hormone receptor positive/human epidermal receptor 2 negative (HR + /HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients harbor... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Approximately 40% of hormone receptor positive/human epidermal receptor 2 negative (HR + /HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients harbor phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) mutations. However, associations between PIK3CA mutation status and clinical outcomes among patients with HR + /HER2- mBC have been heterogeneous across clinical trials. This meta-analysis was conducted to survey recently available trial data to assess the prognostic effects of PIK3CA among patients with HR + /HER2- mBC. METHODS: Randomized clinical trials reporting progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) stratified by PIK3CA status in HR + /HER2- mBC were identified via systematic literature review. Trial arms receiving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-targeted therapies were excluded. Meta-regression analysis was used to estimate the association between PIK3CA status and PFS and OS among included studies.
RESULTS
The analyzed data included 3,219 patients from 33 study arms across 11 trials (PIK3CA mutated: 1,386, wild type: 1,833). PIK3CA mutation was associated with shorter median PFS (difference [95% CI] (months): -1.8 [-3.4, -0.1], I = 35%) and shorter median OS (-8.4 [-13.4, -3.5], I = 58%, N = 1,545). Findings were similar for PFS rates at 6 months (odds ratio [95% CI]: 0.74 [0.59, 0.94], I = 42%, N = 3,160) and 12 months (0.76 [0.59, 0.99], I = 42%, N = 2,468) and directionally consistent but not statistically significant at 18 months (N = 1,726).
CONCLUSIONS
Pooling evidence across multiple studies, PIK3CA mutation was associated with shorter PFS and OS. These findings suggest a negative prognostic value of PIK3CA mutations in patients with HR + /HER2- mBC.
Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Breast Neoplasms; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Mutation; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphatidylinositols; Receptor, ErbB-2
PubMed: 36131248
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10078-5 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2022β-hemoglobinopathies like sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia are characterized by differing mutations in the hemoglobin subunit beta gene (HBB). These...
Using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats gene editing to induce permanent expression of fetal hemoglobin in β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease: A comparative meta-analysis.
β-hemoglobinopathies like sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia are characterized by differing mutations in the hemoglobin subunit beta gene (HBB). These disorders vary in phenotypic presentation and severity, with more severe manifestations leading to transfusion dependence along with associated complications such as infection and iron overload. β-hemoglobinopathies symptoms rapidly worsen after birth as the levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) begin to decline. To reverse this decline, current treatment plans typically involve the use of pharmacological agents such as hydroxyurea to raise expression levels of HbF. However, these treatments only result in transient effects and must be consistently administered. Gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats- CRISPR associated protein) offer the opportunity to create novel treatments which can raise HbF expression with potential permanent effects. Two gene targets, B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A gene (BCL11A) and the promoter regions of gamma globin genes (HBG1/2), have been identified to significantly increase HbF protein expression. In order to differentiate the effectiveness of BCL11A and HBG1/2 editing, a meta-analysis was performed by first identifying 119 studies for inclusion based on the search terms terms "β-Thalassemia," "beta-thal" "sickle cell disease," "SCD," and "CRISPR." Following application of exclusion and inclusion criteria, we performed analysis on 8 peer-reviewed published studies from 2018 to 2021 were included in the study. Forest plots were generated using R (version 4.1.2). Primary comparative analysis shows HBG1/2 had a significantly ( < 0.01)greater impact on induction of HbF expression compared to BCL11A. This analysis leads us to conclude that HBG1/2 merits further investigation as a possible gene editing target for treatment of SCD and β-thalassemia.
PubMed: 36250099
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.943631 -
The Journal of International Medical... May 2021germline variants of the casein kinase 2α subunit (CK2α) gene () have been reported in individuals with the congenital neuropsychiatric disorder Okur-Chung...
Identification of novel variants and the genotype-phenotype relationship in patients with Okur-Chung neurodevelopmental syndrome: a case report and systematic literature review.
germline variants of the casein kinase 2α subunit (CK2α) gene () have been reported in individuals with the congenital neuropsychiatric disorder Okur-Chung neurodevelopmental syndrome (OCNS). Here, we report on two unrelated children with OCNS and review the literature to explore the genotype-phenotype relationship in OCNS. Both children showed facial dysmorphism, growth retardation, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified two novel variants: c.479A>G p.(H160R) and c.238C>T p.(R80C). A search of the literature identified 12 studies that provided information on 35 variants in various protein-coding regions of CK2α. By quantitatively analyzing data related to these variants and their corresponding phenotypes, we showed for the first time that mutations in protein-coding CK2α regions appear to influence the phenotypic spectrum of OCNS. Mutations altering the ATP/GTP-binding loop were more likely to cause the widest range of phenotypes. Therefore, any assessment of clinical spectra for this disorder should be extremely thorough. This study not only expands the mutational spectrum of OCNS, but also provides a comprehensive overview to improve our understanding of the genotype-phenotype relationship in OCNS.
Topics: Casein Kinase II; Child; Genotype; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Mutation; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Phenotype
PubMed: 34038195
DOI: 10.1177/03000605211017063 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Numerous studies suggest that the risk of tuberculosis (TB) is linked to gene polymorphisms of the interleukin-12 receptor b subunit 1 (IL12RB1), but the association... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Numerous studies suggest that the risk of tuberculosis (TB) is linked to gene polymorphisms of the interleukin-12 receptor b subunit 1 (IL12RB1), but the association between IL12RB1 polymorphisms and TB susceptibility has not been thoroughly investigated.
METHODS
A meta-analysis was conducted based on eight case-control studies with 10,112 individuals to further explore this topic. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Excerpt Medica Database, and Google Scholar up until April 6th, 2023 was performed. ORs and 95% CIs were pooled using the random-effect model. The epidemiological credibility of all significant associations was assessed using the Venice criteria and false-positive report probability (FPRP) analyses.
RESULTS
The IL12RB1 rs11575934 and rs401502 showed solid evidence of no significant association with TB susceptibility. However, a weak association was observed between the IL12RB1 rs375947 biomarker and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) susceptibility (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.21).
DISCUSSION
These findings should be confirmed through larger, better-designed studies to clarify the relationship between biomarkers in IL12RB1 gene and different types of TB susceptibility.
Topics: Humans; Receptors, Interleukin-12; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Tuberculosis; Polymorphism, Genetic; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38317798
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1249880 -
BioMed Research International 2020Studies on the number and proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients have been controversial, which has led to a disagreement... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Studies on the number and proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients have been controversial, which has led to a disagreement regarding the role of Tregs in the pathogenesis of AS. To clarify this debate, we conducted a meta-analysis to verify the reported changes in Tregs during AS. We systematically searched the PubMed, Foreign Medical Retrieval System (FMRS), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) web of knowledge databases for eligible articles. A meta-analysis of studies that examined the proportion and number of Tregs among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4 T cells was performed using Stata software. Further, subgroup analysis was performed based on Treg definition markers and disease activity to identify potential sources of heterogeneity. Forty-seven studies involving a total of 4373 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The Treg/PBMC and Treg/CD4 T cell ratios were significantly lower in AS patients than those in healthy controls (HCs). A subgroup analysis indicated that patients defined by CD4CD25, CD4CD25CD127, and CD4CD25FOXP3 had much lower Treg/PBMC and Treg/CD4 T cell ratios than HCs. Active AS patients also had a substantially lower proportion of Tregs/PBMCs and Treg/CD4 T cells than HCs. The proportion of Tregs among both PBMCs and CD4 T cells was significantly decreased in AS patients. Treg definition markers and disease activity may influence the proportion of Tregs measured among the PBMC and CD4 T cell populations. Further study of the correlation between AS disease activity and the proportion of Tregs in peripheral blood is needed to determine the physiological role of this association. This study implies that loss of Tregs may play a role in the pathogenesis of AS and helps clarify the contradictory Treg results in AS patients. This trial is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019147064).
Topics: Biomarkers; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Databases, Factual; Humans; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Lymphocyte Count; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
PubMed: 32149142
DOI: 10.1155/2020/8709804