BACKGROUND: Modafinil is primarily used to treat narcolepsy but is also used as an off-label cognitive enhancer. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies indicate that modafinil modulates the connectivity of neocortical networks primarily involved in attention and executive functions. However, much less is known about the drug's effects on subcortical structures. Following preliminary findings, we evaluated modafinil's activity on the connectivity of distinct cerebellar regions with the neocortex. We assessed the spatial relationship of these effects with the expression of neurotransmitter receptors/transporters. METHODS: Patterns of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity were estimated in 50 participants from scans acquired pre- and postadministration of a single (100 mg) dose of modafinil (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25). Using specific cerebellar regions as seeds for voxelwise analyses, we examined modafinil's modulation of cerebellar-neocortical connectivity. Next, we conducted a quantitative evaluation of the spatial overlap between the modulation of cerebellar-neocortical connectivity and the expression of neurotransmitter receptors/transporters obtained by publicly available databases. RESULTS: Modafinil increased the connectivity of crus I and vermis IX with prefrontal regions. Crus I connectivity changes were associated with the expression of dopaminergic D2 receptors. The vermis I-II showed enhanced coupling with the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and matched the expression of histaminergic H3 receptors. The vermis VII-VIII displayed increased connectivity with the visual cortex, an activity associated with dopaminergic and histaminergic neurotransmission. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals modafinil's modulatory effects on cerebellar-neocortical connectivity. The modulation mainly involves crus I and the vermis and spatially overlaps the distribution of dopaminergic and histaminergic receptors.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie * MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• modafinil * farmakologie   aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• mozeček * účinky léků   diagnostické zobrazování   metabolismus   MeSH
• neokortex účinky léků   metabolismus   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• nervové dráhy účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• stimulancia farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH

The aim of the present study was to assess systemic circulatory and tissue activities of both the classical arm and of the alternative arm of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in a new transgenic rat line (TG7371) that expresses angiotensin-(1-7) (ANG 1-7)-producing fusion protein; the results were compared with the activities measured in control transgene-negative Hannover Sprague-Dawley (HanSD) rats. Plasma and tissue concentrations of angiotensin II (ANG II) and ANG 1-7, and kidney mRNA expressions of receptors responsible for biological actions of ANG II and ANG 1-7 [i.e. ANG II type 1 and type 2 (AT1 and AT2) and Mas receptors] were assessed in TG7371 transgene-positive and in HanSD rats. We found that male TG7371 transgene-positive rats exhibited significantly elevated plasma, kidney, heart and lung ANG 1-7 concentrations as compared with control male HanSD rats; by contrast, there was no significant difference in ANG II concentrations and no significant differences in mRNA expression of AT1, AT2 and Mas receptors. In addition, we found that in male TG7371 transgene-positive rats blood pressure was lower than in male HanSD rats. These data indicate that the balance between the classical arm and the alternative arm of the RAS was in male TGR7371 transgene-positive rats markedly shifted in favor of the latter. In conclusion, TG7371 transgene-positive rats represent a new powerful tool to study the long-term role of the alternative arm of the RAS in the pathophysiology and potentially in the treatment of cardio-renal diseases.

• MeSH
• angiotensin I * metabolismus   MeSH
• angiotensin II * MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• krevní tlak fyziologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• ledviny metabolismus   MeSH
• nemoci ledvin metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• peptidové fragmenty * metabolismus   MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley * MeSH
• potkani transgenní * MeSH
• protoonkogen Mas MeSH
• receptor angiotensinu typ 1 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• receptory spřažené s G-proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• rekombinantní fúzní proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• renin-angiotensin systém * fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUNDS: SWI/SNF complexes represent a family of multi-subunit chromatin remodelers that are affected by alterations in >20% of human tumors. While mutations of SWI/SNF genes are relatively uncommon in prostate cancer (PCa), the literature suggests that deregulation of various subunits plays a role in prostate tumorigenesis. To assess SWI/SNF functions in a clinical context, we studied the mutually exclusive, paralogue accessory subunits SMARCD1, SMARCD2, and SMARCD3 that are included in every known complex and are sought to confer specificity. METHODS: Performing immunohistochemistry (IHC), the protein levels of the SMARCD family members were measured using a tissue microarray (TMA) comprising malignant samples and matching healthy tissue of non-metastatic PCa patients (n = 168). Moreover, IHC was performed in castration-resistant tumors (n = 9) and lymph node metastases (n = 22). To assess their potential role as molecular biomarkers, SMARCD1 and SMARCD3 protein levels were correlated with clinical parameters such as T stage, Gleason score, biochemical recurrence, and progression-free survival. RESULTS: SMARCD1 protein levels in non-metastatic primary tumors, lymph node metastases, and castration-resistant samples were significantly higher than in benign tissues. Likewise, SMARCD3 protein expression was elevated in tumor tissue and especially lymph node metastases compared to benign samples. While SMARCD1 levels in primary tumors did not exhibit significant associations with any of the tested clinical parameters, SMARCD3 exhibited an inverse correlation with pre-operative PSA levels. Moreover, low SMARCD3 expression was associated with progression to metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: In congruence with previous literature, our results implicate that both SMARCD1 and SMARCD3 may exhibit relevant functions in the context of prostate tumorigenesis. Moreover, our approach suggests a potential role of SMARCD3 as a novel prognostic marker in clinically non-metastatic PCa.

• MeSH
• chromozomální proteiny, nehistonové * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lokální recidiva nádoru patologie   metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• lymfatické metastázy MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• nádory prostaty rezistentní na kastraci patologie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• nádory prostaty * patologie   metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• prognóza MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• stupeň nádoru MeSH
• transkripční faktory genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare and severe neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). While the exact disease mechanism remains unknown, previous studies suggest that mutant GFAP influences many cellular processes, including cytoskeleton stability, mechanosensing, metabolism, and proteasome function. While most studies have primarily focused on GFAP-expressing astrocytes, GFAP is also expressed by radial glia and neural progenitor cells, prompting questions about the impact of GFAP mutations on central nervous system (CNS) development. In this study, we observed impaired differentiation of astrocytes and neurons in co-cultures of astrocytes and neurons, as well as in neural organoids, both generated from AxD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells with a GFAPR239C mutation. Leveraging single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we identified distinct cell populations and transcriptomic differences between the mutant GFAP cultures and a corrected isogenic control. These findings were supported by results obtained with immunocytochemistry and proteomics. In co-cultures, the GFAPR239C mutation resulted in an increased abundance of immature cells, while in unguided neural organoids and cortical organoids, we observed altered lineage commitment and reduced abundance of astrocytes. Gene expression analysis revealed increased stress susceptibility, cytoskeletal abnormalities, and altered extracellular matrix and cell-cell communication patterns in the AxD cultures, which also exhibited higher cell death after stress. Overall, our results point to altered cell differentiation in AxD patient-derived iPS-cell models, opening new avenues for AxD research.

• MeSH
• Alexanderova nemoc * genetika   patologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• astrocyty * metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace * fyziologie   MeSH
• gliový fibrilární kyselý protein * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• indukované pluripotentní kmenové buňky * metabolismus   MeSH
• kokultivační techniky MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• nervové kmenové buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• neurony metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• organoidy metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The forskolin-induced swelling assay (FIS) in patient-derived intestinal organoids (PDIOs), used to determine in vitro responsiveness to elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), showed variability in swelling among PDIOs obtained from people with CF (pwCF) carrying the same F508del/F508del CFTR genotype. We aimed to characterise the effect of ETI on the transcriptional activity of PDIOs-derived cells to understand the intracellular processes triggered by ETI and the differences in treatment response. Six high- and six low-responding PDIOs to ETI, derived from F508del/F508del pwCF, were incubated with or without ETI for 2 to 6 h. Gene expression was assessed using 3'-mRNA sequencing and modelled using negative binomial models. Incubation with ETI resulted in a significant upregulation of several biological processes: mostly related to chemokines and signalling, chemotaxis, and tissue development processes. No changes were observed in abundance of the CFTR transcripts or in CFTR-related gene sets and pathways. The genes and pathways associated with ETI did not overlap with those whose expression changed with time only. PDIOs with a high FIS response did not significantly differ in any interpretable gene from the FIS-low organoids. The changes in the PDIOs gene expression upon the exposure to ETI cannot explain differences in the magnitude of PDIOs FIS-measured response to ETI. In conclusion, on incubation with ETI, genes of the CFTR-related pathways do not change their transcriptional activity; instead, overexpression was observed in genes of inflammatory-like cytokine response and receptor activation pathways.

• MeSH
• aktivátory chloridových kanálů terapeutické užití   farmakologie   MeSH
• aminofenoly * terapeutické užití   farmakologie   MeSH
• benzodioxoly * terapeutické užití   farmakologie   MeSH
• chinolony * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• cystická fibróza * genetika   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• fixní kombinace léků MeSH
• indoly * farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• organoidy * metabolismus   MeSH
• protein CFTR genetika   MeSH
• pyrazoly * farmakologie   MeSH
• pyridiny farmakologie   MeSH
• pyrrolidiny farmakologie   MeSH
• pyrroly farmakologie   MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese metody   MeSH
• střeva účinky léků   MeSH
• transkriptom MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

In advanced prostate cancer (PC), in particular after acquisition of resistance to androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitors (ARSI), upregulation of AR splice variants compromises endocrine therapy efficiency. Androgen receptor splice variant-7 (ARV7) is clinically the most relevant and has a distinct 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) compared to the AR full-length variant, suggesting a unique post-transcriptional regulation. Here, we set out to evaluate the applicability of the ARV7 3'UTR as a therapy target. A common single nucleotide polymorphism, rs5918762, was found to affect the splicing rate and thus the expression of ARV7 in cellular models and patient specimens. Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 9 (SRSF9) was found to bind to and increase the inclusion of the cryptic exon 3 of ARV7 during the splicing process in the alternative C allele of rs5918762. The dual specificity protein kinase CLK2 interferes with the activity of SRSF9 by regulating its expression. Inhibition of the Cdc2-like kinase (CLK) family by the small molecules cirtuvivint or lorecivivint results in the decreased expression of ARV7. Both inhibitors show potent anti-proliferative effects in enzalutamide-treated or -naive PC models. Thus, targeting aberrant alternative splicing at the 3'UTR of ARV7 by disturbing the CLK2/SRSF9 axis might be a valuable therapeutic approach in late stage, ARSI-resistant PC.

• MeSH
• 3' nepřekládaná oblast genetika   MeSH
• alternativní sestřih genetika   účinky léků   MeSH
• androgenní receptory * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory prostaty * genetika   metabolismus   patologie   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• protein - isoformy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protein-serin-threoninkinasy genetika   metabolismus   antagonisté a inhibitory   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u nádorů * účinky léků   MeSH
• serin-arginin sestřihové faktory * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• sestřih RNA genetika   MeSH
• tyrosinkinasy * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease often associated with underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study investigates how PSC predisposes individuals to altered inflammatory immune responses compared with IBD alone. A case-control study was conducted with a cohort of 75 patients, including 16 with PSC (14 with concomitant IBD), 39 with IBD alone, and 20 controls. Serum bile acid profile, proteomic analysis, and immune-related gene expression in the colon tissue were examined. Colonic tissue from PSC patients exhibited up-regulation of immune regulation and inflammatory signaling mRNA markers, including LGR5, IL-8, CCL2, COX2, TWIST1, and SNAIL. Additionally, PSC patients displayed a distinct proinflammatory serum proteomic signature and moderate elevation of some bile acids, such as glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA). Co-incubation of human-derived monocytes with GCDCA partially replicated the inflammatory profile observed in PSC. These findings suggest that circulating bile acids modulate the peripheral immune system proinflammatory response, contributing to the unique PSC phenotype.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• idiopatické střevní záněty * imunologie   komplikace   krev   genetika   MeSH
• kolon metabolismus   imunologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monocyty imunologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• proteomika metody   MeSH
• sklerozující cholangitida * imunologie   krev   komplikace   genetika   MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• žlučové kyseliny a soli * krev   imunologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The aim of the study here was to evaluate the association between expression of CD23 molecule on B-lymphocytes and the level of specific IgE to molecular components of birch, Bermuda grass, hazel pollen, timothy, and rye grass in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients (with and without dupilumab therapy). A total of 46 patients suffering from AD were included: 26 without dupilumab treatment and 20 with dupilumab treatment. Serum levels of specific IgE were measured by the components resolved diagnostic assay ALEX2 Allergy Xplorer, the expression of CD23 molecule on B-lymphocytes was evaluated with flow cytometry. For the statistical analysis, the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used. In patients treated with dupilumab, the higher association was observed between the expression of CD23 on B-lymphocytes and specific IgE to molecular components Bet v 1, Cor a 1.0103, Cor a 1.0401, and Phl p 1. This study demonstrated that the relationship between CD23 expression on B-lymphocytes and specific IgE to pollen molecular components varies depending on whether the patient was treated with dupilumab and the type of molecular component involved.

• MeSH
• alergeny imunologie   MeSH
• atopická dermatitida * imunologie   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• B-lymfocyty * imunologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• humanizované monoklonální protilátky * terapeutické užití   MeSH
• imunoglobulin E * krev   imunologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• pyl * imunologie   MeSH
• receptory IgE * metabolismus   imunologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The tumor suppressor gene NKX3.1 and the LPL gene are located in close proximity on chromosome 8, and their deletion has been reported in multiple studies. However, the significance of LPL loss may be misinterpreted due to its co-deletion with NKX3.1, a well-established event in prostate carcinogenesis. This study investigates whether LPL deletion represents a biologically relevant event or occurs merely as a bystander to NKX3.1 loss. We analyzed 28 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded prostate cancer samples with confirmed LPL deletion and 28 without. Immunohistochemical staining was performed, and previously published whole-genome sequencing data from 103 prostate cancer patients were reanalyzed. Deletion of the 8p21.3 region was associated with higher Gleason grade groups. While NKX3.1 expression was significantly reduced in prostate cancer compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia, LPL protein expression showed no significant difference between cancerous and benign tissue, nor was it affected by the 8p21.3 deletion status. Copy number analysis confirmed the co-deletion of NKX3.1 and LPL in 54 patients. Notably, NKX3.1 loss without accompanying LPL deletion was observed in eight additional cases. These findings suggest that LPL deletion is a passenger event secondary to NKX3.1 loss and underscore the importance of cautious interpretation of cytogenetic findings involving the LPL locus.

• MeSH
• delece genu * MeSH
• homeodoménové proteiny * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory prostaty * genetika   patologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• progrese nemoci MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u nádorů MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• transkripční faktory * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Bordetella pertussis isolates which do not express some of acellular pertussis vaccine (aPv) antigens, e.g. pertactin (PRN), have been increasingly reported in countries using aPvs. In Finland, primary pertussis vaccination with whole-cell vaccine was replaced by aPv containing pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) in 2005 and then by aPv containing PT, FHA, and PRN in 2009. We aimed to study alterations in the expression of FHA, PRN, and PT, three antigens included in aPvs and adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) not included in current aPvs, among Finnish isolates collected during 1991-2020. METHODS: Of 904 isolates collected by the Finnish Reference Laboratory for Pertussis during 1991-2020, 302 were randomly included. An adapted, monoclonal antibody based, antigen expression ELISA, including the culture of B. pertussis in Stainer-Scholte medium, was performed to quantify the expression of ACT, FHA, PRN, and PT of each isolate. ACT activity was also measured for 16 isolates. Arbitrary units were used for comparing levels of each antigen expression of isolates grouped in every five years. FINDINGS: Following the implementation of aPv in 2005, B. pertussis isolates exhibited a 1.75-fold increase for FHA (p < 0.001) and a 1.5-fold increase for ACT (p < 0.0041) expression until 2020. No FHA or ACT deficient isolates were detected. As the number of PRN deficient isolates has significantly increased with the time, the amount of PRN produced by the positive isolates has also started to decrease, especially after the use of aPv containing PRN. During this period, fluctuations in PT expression were observed. INTERPRETATION: The study demonstrated that in response to aPv-induced selection pressure, different types of selection of B. pertussis has occurred. For FHA and ACT, a steady increase in their production is observed, whereas the frequency of PRN deficient isolates is increased with time.

• MeSH
• acelulární vakcíny imunologie   MeSH
• adenylátcyklasový toxin imunologie   MeSH
• antigeny bakteriální * imunologie   MeSH
• bakteriální adheziny MeSH
• Bordetella pertussis * imunologie   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• ELISA MeSH
• faktory virulence rodu Bordetella imunologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pertuse * prevence a kontrola   imunologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• pertusová vakcína * imunologie   aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• pertusový toxin imunologie   MeSH
• proteiny vnější bakteriální membrány imunologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Finsko MeSH