VGCCs play crucial roles within the CNS, in maintaining cell excitability, enabling activity- dependent neuronal development, and forming long-term memory by regulating Ca 2+ influx. The intracellular carboxyl-terminal domains of VGCC α1 subunits help regulate VGCC function. Emerging evidence suggests that some VGCC C-termini have functions independent of channel gating and exist as stable proteins. Here, we demonstrate that all VGCC gene family members express bicistronic mRNA transcripts that produce functionally distinct C-terminal proteins (CTPs) in tandem with full-length VGCC α1 subunits. Two of these CTPs, α1CCT and α1ACT, cycle to and from the nucleus in a Ca 2+ - and calmodulin-dependent fashion. α1CCT, α1ACT, and α1HCT regulate chromatin accessibility and/or bind directly to genes, regulating gene networks involved in neuronal differentiation and synaptic function in a Ca 2+ -dependent manner. This study elucidates a conserved process of coordinated protein expression within the VGCC family, coupling the channel function with VGCC C-terminal transcription factors.
Myocardial infarction (MI) significantly compromises the integrity of the cardiac microvascular endothelial barrier, leading to enhanced leakage and inflammation that contribute to the progression of heart failure. While HIF2α is highly expressed in cardiac endothelial cells (ECs) under hypoxic conditions, its role in regulating microvascular endothelial barrier function during MI is not well understood. In this study, we utilized mice with a cardiac-specific deletion of HIF2α, generated through an inducible Cre (Cdh5Cre-ERT2) recombinase system. These mice exhibited no apparent phenotype under normal conditions. However, following left anterior descending (LAD) artery ligation-induced MI, they showed increased mortality associated with enhanced cardiac vascular leakage, inflammation, worsened cardiac function, and exacerbated heart remodeling. These outcomes suggest a protective role for endothelial HIF2α in response to cardiac ischemia. Parallel investigations in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMVECs) revealed that loss of ecHif2α led to diminished endothelial barrier function, characterized by reduced tight-junction protein levels and increased cell death, along with elevated expression of IL6 and other inflammatory markers. These effects were substantially reversed by overexpressing ARNT, a critical dimerization partner for HIF2α during hypoxia. Additionally, ARNT deletion also led to increased CMVEC permeability. Interestingly, ARNT, rather than HIF2α itself, directly binds to the IL6 promoter to suppress IL6 expression. Our findings demonstrate the critical role of endothelial HIF2α in response to MI and identify the HIF2α/ARNT axis as a transcriptional repressor, offering novel insights for developing therapeutic strategies against heart failure following MI.
BACKGROUND:Brain recovery mechanisms after injuries like aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), ischemic stroke (IS), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) involve brain plasticity, synaptic regeneration, and neuroinflammation. We hypothesized that serum levels of the p75 neurotrophic receptor (p75NTR) and associated signaling proteins, as well as differentially expressed (DE) microRNAs, could predict recovery outcomes irrespective of injury type. METHODS:A prospective patient cohort with ischemic stroke (IS, n = 30), aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH, n = 31), and traumatic brain injury (TBI, n = 13) were evaluated (total n = 74). Serum samples were collected at two post-injury intervals (early: 1-3 days, late: 4-8 days), and outcomes were assessed after three months using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), categorizing outcomes as favorable (mRS 0-3) or unfavorable (mRS 4-6). Six proteins were measured using ELISAs: p75NTR, NGF, sortilin, IL1β, TNFα, and cyclophilin. DE microRNAs were identified using DESeq2, and their target genes were predicted. Serum molecules between patients with differing outcomes were compared using a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, 2-tailed t-test and multivariate linear discriminant analysis (LDA). RESULTS:Favorable (n = 46) and unfavorable (n = 28) outcome cohorts were balanced with age and sex (p = 0.25 and 0.63). None of the studied proteins correlated with age. Combinatory LDA of the six protein biomarkers indicated strong prognostic value for favorable outcomes (OR 2.09; AUC = 70.3%, p = 0.0058). MicroRNA expression changes over time were identified in the aSAH, TBI, and IS groups (p < 0.05, FDR corrected). Twenty-three microRNAs were commonly DE across all brain injury groups when comparing favorable and unfavorable outcomes (p < 0.05). LDA of four microRNAs targeting the studied proteins showed high prognostic accuracy (OR 11.7; AUC = 94.1%, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS:The combined prognostic microRNA and protein biomarker models demonstrated accurate outcome prognostication across diverse injury types, implying the presence of a common recovery mechanism. DE microRNAs were found to target the studied molecules, suggesting a potential mechanistic role in recovery. Further investigation is warranted to study these molecules in prognostication, as well as therapeutic targets for enhancing recovery.
Background: Neuronal recovering processes after acute brain injuries such as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), ischemic stroke (IS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are complex including brain plasticity and synaptic regeneration mechanisms. Temporal changes in lipidomic profile after different acute brain injuries may reveal new insights about brain plasticity, recovery and biomarker development after acute injury. Hypotheses: Measurable temporal changes in serum lipidomic profile may be similar irrespective of the type of the brain injury and may reveal conserved molecular aberrations after different types of acute brain injuries. These common changes may also be associated to outcome and serve as possible biomarkers. Methods: Prospective cohort (n=74) consisted of IS (n=30), aSAH (n=31) and TBI (n=13) patients. Serum samples were collected in two time points after the insult (early 24-48h and late 120-192h). Lipidomic profiling of 1153 lipids was performed using Lipidyzer Platform. The lipidomics data was analyzed with Metaboanalyst for ANOVA, PCA, heatmap, box plots with following settings: missing values were imputated with KNN using 20% cutoff, log-transformed and auto-scaled. Results: We identified four diacylglycerols (DAG), one cholesterol ester (CE), seven triacylglycerols (TAG) and one sphingomyelin (SM) which showed increased levels in late serum samples across all types of brain injuries (p<0.05, FDR corrected). Four free fatty acids (FFA) and two phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) levels were decreased in late serum samples across all injury types (p<0.05, FDR corrected). Conclusion: Changes in lipidomic profiles across time were identified. This suggests common lipidomic characteristics irrespective of the type of brain insult and encourage further studies. Interestingly, lipidomic profiles may be associated to recovery after acute brain injury and further analyses of this data will follow.
Background: Neuronal recovering processes after acute brain injuries such as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), ischemic stroke (IS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are complex including brain plasticity and synaptic regeneration mechanisms. Hypotheses: Transient changes in metabolome after different acute brain injuries may reveal affiliated metabolites, metabolic pathways and associations that can also reflect important biological mechanisms. Measurable temporal changes in serum metabolomic profile may be similar irrespective of the type of the brain injury. These metabolomic commonalities may be associated to outcome. Methods: Prospective cohort (n=74) consisted of IS (n=30), aSAH (n=31) and TBI (n=13) patients. Serum samples were collected in two time points after the insult (early 24-48h and late 120-192h). Orbitrap Profiling of 462 metabolites was used to measure metabolites. Outcome was measured 90 days after injury (mRS favorable 0-3, unfavorable 4-6). The metabolomics data was imputed for missing value using KNN with 20% cut off for missing value, log-transformed and autoscaled. For statistics, t-test and ANOVA was performed and FDR-corrected p-value 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: We identified four similarly temporally increased metabolite levels across all acute brain injury types (p<0.05, FDR corrected). Twenty-eight metabolites were shown to have similar trend when only IS and TBI groups were compared. Whereas outcome analysis showed three metabolites associating both favorable and unfavorable outcome across all acute brain injury types (p<0,05, FDR corrected). IS and TBI groups combined twenty common metabolites were identified to associate favorable and twenty-three with unfavorable outcome (p<0,05, FDR corrected). Conclusion: Similar metabolic changes across time were identified with apparent associations to outcome. This suggests important common metabolic characteristics irrespective of the type of brain insult and encourage further studies and validation. Identified metabolites may be further developed as a prognostic biomarker and may indicate new metabolic pathways active irrespective the type of brain injury reflecting biological mechanisms.
Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, with septic cardiomyopathy being a common and severe complication. Despite its significant clinical impact, the molecular mechanisms underlying sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) remain incompletely understood. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis of whole transcriptome profiles using RNA sequencing in mouse hearts in two widely used mouse models of septic cardiomyopathy. CLP-induced sepsis was achieved by surgical cecal ligation and puncture, while LPS-induced sepsis was induced using a 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal (IP) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). For consistency, we utilized sham-operated mice as the control for septic models. Our aim was to identify key genes and pathways involved in the development of septic cardiomyopathy and to evaluate the similarities and differences between the two models. Our findings demonstrated that both the CLP and lipopolysaccharide LPS methods could induce septic heart dysfunction within 24 h. We identified common transcriptional regulatory regions in the septic hearts of both models, such as Nfkb1, Sp1, and Jun. Moreover, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in comparison to control were involved in shared pathways, including regulation of inflammatory response, regulation of reactive oxygen species metabolic process, and the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. However, each model presented distinctive whole transcriptome expression profiles and potentially diverse pathways contributing to sepsis-induced heart failure. This extensive comparison enhances our understanding of the molecular basis of septic cardiomyopathy, providing invaluable insights. Accordingly, our study also contributes to the pursuit of effective and personalized treatment strategies for SICM, highlighting the importance of considering the specific causative factors.
Myocardial infarction (MI) significantly compromises the integrity of the cardiac microvascular endothelial barrier, leading to enhanced leakage and inflammation that contribute to the progression of heart failure. While HIF2α is highly expressed in cardiac endothelial cells (ECs) under hypoxic conditions, its role in regulating microvascular endothelial barrier function during MI is not well understood. In this study, we utilized mice with a cardiac-specific deletion of HIF2α, generated through an inducible Cre (Cdh5Cre-ERT2) recombinase system. These mice exhibited no apparent phenotype under normal conditions. However, following left anterior descending (LAD) artery ligation-induced MI, they showed increased mortality associated with enhanced cardiac vascular leakage, inflammation, worsened cardiac function, and exacerbated heart remodeling. These outcomes suggest a protective role for endothelial HIF2α in response to cardiac ischemia. Parallel investigations in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMVECs) revealed that loss of ecHif2α led to diminished endothelial barrier function, characterized by reduced tight-junction protein levels and increased cell death, along with elevated expression of IL6 and other inflammatory markers. These effects were substantially reversed by over expressing ARNT, a critical dimerization partner for HIF2α during hypoxia. Additionally, ARNT deletion also led to increased CMVEC permeability. Interestingly, ARNT, rather than HIF2α itself, directly binds to the IL6 promoter to suppress IL6 expression. Our findings demonstrate the critical role of endothelial HIF2α in response to MI and identify the HIF2α/ARNT axis as a transcriptional repressor, offering novel insights for developing therapeutic strategies against heart failure following MI.
Background: Brain plasticity is important processes in recovering after different types of acute brain injuries such as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), ischemic stroke (IS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Knowledge gaps still exist which miRNAs contribute to recovery of the acute brain injuries. Hypotheses: Temporally differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs after acute brain injuries may have association to outcome irrespective the type of the acute brain injury. MiRNAs that are DE across different type of brain injuries may reveal important conserved associations that can reflect important biological mechanisms and serve as a biomarker. Methods: Prospective cohort (n=24) consisted of IS (n=8), aSAH (n=8) and TBI (n=8) patients. Two serum samples were collected per patient (early 24-48h and late 120-192h after injury). Outcome was measured 90 days after injury (mRS favorable 0-3 (n=15), unfavorable 4-6 (n=9). MiRNAs were extracted from the samples (total n = 48 samples). Sequencing was performed and DESeq2 was used to identify DE miRNAs. The miRNA putative target genes were predicted with miRWalk. Normalized expression values of identified DE miRNAs were used and linear canonical discriminant analysis (LDA) was performed. Canonical scores were used to build combinatory biomarker with logistic modelling predicting outcome. Results: We identified 22 temporally DE miRNAs (p<0.05) that were in common across all acute brain injury types when compared between favorable and unfavorable groups. From this pool miRWalk target analysis identified 4 miRNAs (hsa-miR-146b-3p, hsa-miR-485-3p, hsa-miR-5010-5p, hsa-miR-485-5p) that targeted to known plasticity mechanism. LDA of these four miRNAs resulted an equation with canonical scores: 0.636 x [hsa-miR-146b-3p] + 0.576 x [hsa-miR-485-3p] + 0.652 x [hsa-miR-5010-5p] + 0.372 x [hsa-miR-485-5p]. The receiver operating characteristic curve generated showed AUC = 94.1%, 95% CI = (0.849, 1.00), p = 0.016 Conclusions: Results show that combinatory biomarker of identified miRNAs perform well across different type of brain injuries. Validation in larger cohort is justified. Identified common miRNAs also provide new targets for mechanistical validation in disease models of TBI and stroke.
Gut epithelial morphogenesis is maintained by intestinal stem cells. Here, we report that depletion of N6-adenosine methyltransferase subunit Mettl14 from gut epithelial cells in mice impaired colon mucosal morphogenesis, leading to increased mucosal permeability, severe inflammation, growth retardation, and premature death. Mettl14 ablation triggered apoptosis that depleted Lgr5+ stem cells and disrupted colonic organoid growth and differentiation, whereas the inhibition of apoptosis rescued Mettl14-deleted mice and organoids. Mettl14 depletion disrupted N6-adenomethylation on GsdmC transcripts and abolished GsdmC expression. Reconstitution of Mettl14-deleted organoids or mice with GSDMC rescued Lgr5 expression and prevented apoptosis and mouse premature death, whereas GSDMC silence eliminated LGR5 and triggered apoptosis in human colonic organoids and epithelial cells. Mechanistically, Mettl14 depletion eliminated mitochondrial GsdmC, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and triggered cytochrome c release that activates the pro-apoptotic pathway. In conclusion, GsdmC N6-adenomethylation protects mitochondrial homeostasis and is essential for Lgr5+ cell survival to maintain normal colonic epithelial regeneration.
Limiting CD4 + T cell responses is important to prevent solid organ transplant rejection. In a mouse model of costimulation blockade-dependent cardiac allograft tolerance, we previously reported that alloreactive CD4 + conventional T cells (Tconvs) develop dysfunction, losing proliferative capacity. In parallel, induction of transplantation tolerance is dependent on the presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Whether susceptibility of CD4 + Tconvs to Treg suppression is modulated during tolerance induction is unknown. We found that alloreactive Tconvs from transplant tolerant mice had augmented sensitivity to Treg suppression when compared with memory T cells from rejector mice and expressed a transcriptional profile distinct from these memory T cells, including down-regulated expression of the transcription factor Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (Satb1). Mechanistically, Satb1 deficiency in CD4 + T cells limited their expression of CD25 and IL-2, and addition of Tregs, which express higher levels of CD25 than Satb1-deficient Tconvs and successfully competed for IL-2, resulted in greater suppression of Satb1-deficient than wild-type Tconvs in vitro. In vivo, Satb1-deficient Tconvs were more susceptible to Treg suppression, resulting in significantly prolonged skin allograft survival. Overall, our study reveals that transplantation tolerance is associated with Tconvs’ susceptibility to Treg suppression, via modulated expression of Tconv-intrinsic Satb1. Targeting Satb1 in the context of Treg-sparing immunosuppressive therapies might be exploited to improve transplant outcomes.
Patients with familial cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) inherit germline loss of function mutations and are susceptible to progressive development of brain lesions and neurological sequelae during their lifetime. To date, no homologous circulating molecules have been identified that can reflect the presence of germ line pathogenetic CCM mutations, either in animal models or patients. We hypothesize that homologous differentially expressed (DE) plasma miRNAs can reflect the CCM germline mutation in preclinical murine models and patients. Herein, homologous DE plasma miRNAs with mechanistic putative gene targets within the transcriptome of preclinical and human CCM lesions were identified. Several of these gene targets were additionally found to be associated with CCM-enriched pathways identified using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. DE miRNAs were also identified in familial-CCM patients who developed new brain lesions within the year following blood sample collection. The miRNome results were then validated in an independent cohort of human subjects with real-time-qPCR quantification, a technique facilitating plasma assays. Finally, a Bayesian-informed machine learning approach showed that a combination of plasma levels of miRNAs and circulating proteins improves the association with familial-CCM disease in human subjects to 95% accuracy. These findings act as an important proof of concept for the future development of translatable circulating biomarkers to be tested in preclinical studies and human trials aimed at monitoring and restoring gene function in CCM and other diseases.
Introduction: Brain plasticity and synaptic regeneration are important processes in recovering after acute brain injuries such as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), ischemic stroke (IS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). p75 neurotrophic receptor (p75NTR) is a consequential receptor modulating brain plasticity and apoptosis. Hypotheses: Measurable changes in serum levels of p75NTR mechanistically linked proteins are associated to recovery of acute brain injuries. Differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs after acute brain injuries target to p75NTR pathway and have association to outcome. Methods: Concentrations of p75NTR, NGF, sortilin, IL1β, TNFα and cyclophilin were measured from serum using ELISA. Prospective cohort (n=75) consisted of IS (n=30), aSAH (n=31) and TBI (n=14) patients. Serum samples were collected 24-48h after insults. Late samples (120-192h) were also taken from 12 aSAH patients. Outcome was measured 90 days after injury (mRS favorable 0-4, unfavorable 5-6). We generated characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC) for weighted linear combination of the biomarkers with a linear discriminant analysis. MiRNAs were extracted from the cohort (early and late samples, n=53). Results: In the whole cohort (n=75) combination of cyclophilin, IL1β, sortilin, p75NTR, NGF and TNFα predicted unfavorable mRS (AUC 0.69, p=0.01). In IS group combination of cyclophilin, sortilin, p75NTR, NGF and TNFα predicted unfavorable mRS (AUC 0.84, p=0.02). In aSAH group combination of IL1β, p75NTR and NGF predicted unfavorable mRS (AUC 0.77, p=0.07). In 12 aSAH patient sub-group (late samples included) combination of cyclophilin, IL1β, sortilin, p75NTR and TNFα predicted unfavorable mRS (AUC 1.0, p=0.07). In TBI group combination of cyclophilin, IL1β, p75NTR, NGF and TNFα predicted unfavorable mRS (AUC 0.79, p=0.08). In the aSAH group 2 DE miRNAs were detected, 4 in the IS group and 7 in the TBI group (p<0.05, FDR corrected). MiRNAs targeted p75NTR , NGF , IL1 β , cyclophilin ( PPIA ), and sortilin ( SORT1 ). Conclusions: p75NTR and mechanistically linked proteins predict outcome across different types of brain injuries suggesting a common mechanism irrespective of the type of brain insult. Identified DE miRNAs targeted studied molecules.
为建立非洲猪瘟病毒(ASFV)抗体的间接ELISA检测方法,将构建的GFP基因与CD2v基因串联的重组真核表达质粒pIRES-GFP-CD2v转染CHO-K1细胞,通过嘌呤霉素筛选并结合有限稀释法,筛选稳定表达CD2v的单细胞克隆株.转染细胞经过PCR鉴定后进行扩大培养,收集并纯化细胞培养液,获得目的蛋白,通过Western-blot验证其反应原性.结果表明,ASFV CD2v蛋白在CHO-K1细胞中被成功表达,并能与ASFV抗体阳性血清反应.以纯化的GFP-CD2v重组蛋白为包被抗原建立检测ASFV CD2v蛋白抗体的间接ELISA方法,通过方阵试验对间接ELISA方法进行优化,最终确定抗原最佳包被质量浓度为1.25 μg/mL,待检血清最佳稀释度为1∶100,酶标抗体最佳稀释度为1∶50000,以此建立的ASFVCD2v蛋白的间接ELISA方法临界值为0.31;该方法仅与ASFV阳性血清发生特异性反应,而与猪瘟病毒、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒、口蹄疫病毒、伪狂犬病病毒、猪圆环病毒2型及猪流行性腹泻病毒等病毒抗体阳性血清均无交叉反应,表明该方法的特异性较强;用该ELISA方法检测阳性血清敏感性可达1∶1 600;批内和批间变异系数均小于10%.结果表明,本试验中建立的间接ELISA方法具有良好的特异性、敏感性和重复性,可用于ASFV抗体的检测.
根据非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus,ASFV)P72基因核苷酸序列设计特异性引物和锁核酸(locked nucleic acid,LNA)-TaqMan探针,建立了基于P72基因的LNA-TaqMan探针的ASFV荧光定量PCR方法.结果显示,所建立的LNA-TaqMan探针荧光定量PCR方法具有较高的灵敏度,最低检测限为3.9拷贝/μL,且与猪瘟病毒、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒及猪圆环病毒2型等多种病原不存在交叉反应;该方法的重复性良好,批内和批间变异系数均小于1%;56份临床样品的检测结果与O1E推荐的qPCR方法检测结果一致,符合率为100%.结果表明,本试验所建立的ASFV LNA-TaqMan探针荧光定量PCR方法敏感性、特异性和重复性良好,为ASFV检测提供了一种新的技术选择.
为了建立一种便捷、快速且精准的非洲猪瘟病毒的检测方法,本研究根据GenBank中公布的ASFVp72基因序列,设计了 一对特异性引物,并对引物中的适当碱基进行锁核酸修饰,通过优化退火温度、引物浓度,建立了非洲猪瘟病毒的锁核酸修饰引物PCR检测方法.结果表明,该方法具有良好的敏感性和特异性,检测灵敏度可以达到3×101 copies/uL,比常规引物PCR方法的灵敏度提高了100倍,比real-time PCR方法的灵敏度提高了 10倍,对猪瘟病毒、猪圆环病毒2型、猪伪狂犬病毒等病原基因组均无扩增,特异性良好.72份临床样品的检测结果与OIE推荐的qPCR方法检测结果一致,符合率为100%.本研究成功建立了非洲猪瘟病毒的LNA引物PCR检测方法,方法的特异性强、敏感性高,操作简单,为非洲猪瘟病毒的检测提供了一种新的、更加敏感的检测技术.
Introduction: There is a current need for sensitive and specific biomarkers of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM) that can be readily translated from preclinical to human models to accurately diagnose and monitor disease states and response to novel therapeutics. MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that influence gene expression and whose levels can be affected by disease states. We hypothesize that there are human homologs of differentially expressed (DE) miRNA in the plasma of CCM murine models that can be identified in CCM patients. We further hypothesize that these miRNAs have gene targets within previously published CCM transcriptomes, mechanistically linking them to CCM disease. Methods: Plasma miRNAs from homozygous and heterozygous Ccm1 and Ccm3 mice, as well as their respective wild type controls were sequenced and analyzed. Putative gene targets of DE miRNAs [p<0.05, false discovery rate (FDR) corrected] were queried in previously published mouse CCM transcriptomes. The human homologs of the DE miRNAs in the plasma of Ccm1 and Ccm3 mouse models were identified and assessed in the plasma of healthy controls (n=13), CCM1 (n=11), and CCM3 (n=11) patients using RT-qPCR. Results: 5 miRNAs in homozygous and 10 in heterozygous for Ccm1 , while 45 in homozygous and 2 in heterozygous for Ccm3 were DE in the plasma of mouse models (p<0.05, FDR corrected), had gene targets within CCM mouse transcriptomes, and have a human homolog. Preliminary results show mmu-miR-375-3p as DE in both Ccm1 +/- and Ccm3 -/- mice. RT-qPCR assays show that plasma relative quantification values of the human homolog hsa-miR-375-3p were higher in CCM3 than in CCM1 patients ( p <0.001) and in healthy controls ( p <0.05). Conclusion: DE plasma miRNAs identified in mouse models with human homologs and putative gene targets mechanistically implicated in CCM disease may be used as candidate biomarkers for specific clinical contexts.
Introduction: Therapeutic interest into the neurotrophins resides in their ability to regulate the process of neuronal and synaptic regeneration following acute brain injuries such as intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage and ischemic stroke. P75 neurotrophic receptor (p75NTR) is an important receptor for the role of neurotrophins in modulating brain plasticity and apoptosis. The current understanding of the role of p75NTR in cellular adaptation following pathological insults remains blurred. Methods: We identified p75NTR and related genes through extensive data mining of a PubMed literature search including published works related to p75NTR from the past 20 years. Bioinformatic network and pathway analyses of identified genes (n=235) were performed using ReactomeFIViz in Cytoscape based on the highly reliable Reactome functional interaction network algorithm. This approach merges interactions extracted from human curated pathways with predicted interactions from machine learning. Results: Genome-wide pathway analysis showed total of 16 enriched hierarchical clusters. A total of 278 enriched single pathways were also identified (p<0.05, FDR corrected). Gene network analyses showed multiple known and new targets in the p75NTR gene network. This study provides a comprehensive analysis and investigation into the current knowledge of p75NTR signaling networks and pathways. Discussion: This study provides the largest comprehensive gene and functional network library of p75NTR and incorporates current knowledge using a large dataset approach that increases the overall understanding of complex p75NTR networks. These results suggest both new possible target genes for further investigation in p75NTR research, while also validating previously conducted research. These results can be used to generate novel hypotheses to gain a greater understanding of p75NTR in stroke. Future directions: We are currently sequencing miRNA libraries from ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients’ plasma with longitudinal plasma samples and clinical data. This data together with presented results will be used to test identified novel targets in p75NTR engineered models in order seek novel therapeutic strategies to increase recovery after stroke.
Introduction: Diagnosis of cavernous angioma with symptomatic hemorrhage (CASH) requires MRI evidence of lesional bleeding associated directly with attributable symptoms. However, hemorrhagic signs of CASH may become clinically silent on conventional MRI after 3 months. As CASH is likely to rebleed for several years, accurate diagnosis of CASH that bled more than 3 months prior is needed. Hypothesis: Perfusion and permeability derivations of dynamic contrast-enhanced quantitative perfusion (DCEQP) MRI can diagnose CASH and predict bleeding/growth in CAs. Methods: CAs of 205 consecutively enrolled patients scanned with DCEQP during clinical visits were classified as CASH that bled 3 - 12 months prior (N = 55) versus non-CASH (N = 658) or CA with (N = 23) versus without (N = 721) bleeding/growth within a year after MRI. Demographics and 13 perfusion and 13 permeability derivations of DCEQP were assessed via machine learning and univariate analyses. Logistic regression models ln ( P / 1 - P ) = Σ (β i x i ) + β 0 were selected as the best diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers by minimizing the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). Results: The best diagnostic biomarker of CASH that bled 3 - 12 months prior (BIC = 321.6, Figure A) showed 80% sensitivity and 82% specificity. Permeability derivations did not add diagnostic efficacy when combined with perfusion. The best prognostic biomarker of bleeding/growth (BIC = 201.5, Figure B) showed 77% sensitivity and 72% specificity. Conclusion: Perfusion imaging may diagnose CASH even after hemorrhagic signs disappear on conventional MRI. A combination of permeability and perfusion derivations may help predict bleeding/growth in CAs.