Antisense transcripts play an important role in generating regulatory non-coding RNAs but whether these transcripts are also translated to generate functional peptides remains poorly understood. In this study, RNA sequencing and six-frame database generation were combined with mass spectrometry analysis of peptides isolated from polysomes to identify Nascent Pioneer Translation Products (Na-PTPs) originating from alternative reading frames of bi-directional transcripts. Two Na-PTP originating peptides derived from antisense strands stimulated CD8+ T cell proliferation when presented to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from nine healthy donors. Importantly, an antigenic peptide derived from the reverse strand of two cDNA constructs was presented on MHC-I molecules and induced CD8+ T cell activation. The results demonstrate that three-frame translation of bi-directional transcripts generates antigenic peptide substrates for the immune system. This discovery holds significance for understanding the origin of self-discriminating peptide substrates for the major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) pathway and for enhancing immune-based therapies against infected or transformed cells.

• Klíčová slova
• MHC-I epitope, Pioneer Translation Products, bi-directional transcripts, bi-directional translation, reverse strand antigenic peptides,
• MeSH
• aktivace lymfocytů imunologie   MeSH
• antisense RNA genetika   MeSH
• CD8-pozitivní T-lymfocyty * imunologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• leukocyty mononukleární imunologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy * imunologie   metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• peptidy * imunologie   MeSH
• proteosyntéza * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antisense RNA MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy * MeSH
• peptidy * MeSH

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has become a global pandemic. While susceptibility to COVID-19 is subject to several external factors, including hypertension, BMI, and the presence of diabetes, it is also genetically determined to a significant extent. Infectious agents require iron (Fe) for proper functioning. Carriers of mutations resulting in increased iron concentrations are understood to be at increased risk of COVID-19. METHODS: We examined HFE genotypes associated with hereditary haemochromatosis (rs1800562 and rs1799945 SNPs) in 617 COVID-19 patients (166 asymptomatic, 246 symptomatic and 205 hospitalised survivors) and 2 559 population-based controls. RESULTS: We found a higher frequency of the minor allele (Tyr282) of the rs1800562 polymorphism (P < 0.002) in patients compared to controls (8.5 % vs 5.5 %). Non-carriers of the minor allele were protected against SARS-Cov-2 infection (OR, 95 %CI; 0.59, 0.42-0.82). The frequency of minor allele carriers was almost identical across asymptomatic, symptomatic, and hospitalised survivors. The rs1799945 variant did not affect disease severity and its occurrence was almost identical in patients and controls (P between 0.58 and 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our results indicate that presence of the rs1800562 minor allele, which is associated with hereditary haemochromatosis (thus increased levels of plasma Fe), increases susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.

• Klíčová slova
• COVID-19, HFE, Iron, Polymorphism, Susceptibility,
• MeSH
• COVID-19 * genetika   MeSH
• hemochromatóza * genetika   epidemiologie   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy genetika   MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• protein hemochromatózy genetika   MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• železo MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• HFE protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• MHC antigeny I. třídy MeSH
• protein hemochromatózy MeSH
• železo MeSH

BACKGROUND/AIM: Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the deadliest human cancers responding very poorly to therapy. Although the central nervous system has been traditionally considered an immunologically privileged site with an enhanced immune response, GBM appears to benefit from this immunosuppressive milieu. Immunomodulatory molecules play an important role in immune tumor-host interactions. Non-classical human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class Ib molecules HLA-E, HLA-F, and HLA-G have been previously described to be involved in protecting semi-allogeneic fetal allografts from the maternal immune response and in transplant tolerance as well as tumoral immune escape. Unfortunately, their role in GBM remains poorly understood. Our study, therefore, aimed to characterize the relationship between the expression of these molecules in GBM on the transcriptional level and clinicopathological and molecular features of GBM as well as the effect of ionizing radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed the analysis of HLA-E, HLA-F, and HLA-G mRNA expression in 69 GBM tissue samples and 21 non-tumor brain tissue samples (controls) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, two primary GBM cell cultures had been irradiated to identify the effect of ionizing radiation on the expression of non-classical HLA molecules. RESULTS: Analyses revealed that both HLA-E and HLA-F are significantly up-regulated in GBM samples. Subsequent survival analysis showed a significant association between low expression of HLA-E and shorter survival of GBM patients. The dysregulated expression of both molecules was also observed between patients with methylated and unmethylated O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter. Finally, we showed that ionizing radiation increased HLA-E expression level in GBM cells in vitro. CONCLUSION: HLA-E and HLA-F play an important role in GBM biology and could be used as diagnostic biomarkers, and in the case of HLA-E also as a prognostic biomarker.

• Klíčová slova
• Glioblastoma, HLA-E, HLA-F, ionizing radiation, non-classical human leukocyte antigens, prognosis,
• MeSH
• antigeny HLA-E MeSH
• glioblastom * genetika   patologie   radioterapie   MeSH
• ionizující záření MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metylace DNA MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy * biosyntéza   genetika   MeSH
• nádory mozku * genetika   patologie   radioterapie   MeSH
• prognóza MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• HLA-F antigens MeSH Prohlížeč
• MHC antigeny I. třídy * MeSH

Polymorphic genes with immune functions, namely those of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system, have been implicated in sarcoidosis pathogenesis. As HLA polymorphisms in sarcoidosis have not been yet investigated in the Korean population, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS), allowing detailed characterization of HLA alleles to investigate the role of HLA variation in Korean sarcoidosis patients. We enrolled 103 patients diagnosed by the ATS/ERS/WASOG guidelines at Asan Medical Centre, Seoul, Korea. Among those, genotyping of 7 HLA loci (HLA-A, -B, -C, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DRB1, -DPB1) was performed using Omixon Holotype™ kit and HLATwin software™. HLA allele frequencies were compared with frequency data on healthy Koreans from the allelic frequency databases, and 4-digit characteristics of HLA genotyping were used. Associations were assessed by two-tailed Fischer's exact test with correction for multiple comparisons. Variants previously associated with sarcoidosis risk (HLA-C*03:04, HLA-DRB1*12:01, HLA-DRB1*14:54) and a known protective variant HLA-DPB1*04:01, were associated with sarcoidosis in Koreans. Further, we suggest new HLA variants associated with sarcoidosis risk (e.g., HLA-DQA1*05:08) and novel protective variants HLA-DQB1*03:02 and HLA-DQA1*01:02 in Koreans. This first study of HLA variation in Korean patients with sarcoidosis by precise genotyping methodology reports data that could serve future meta-analyses on HLA variation's role in sarcoidosis.

• MeSH
• alely MeSH
• frekvence genu MeSH
• haplotypy MeSH
• HLA-DRB1 řetězec genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy genetika   MeSH
• sarkoidóza * genetika   MeSH
• vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• HLA-DRB1 řetězec MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy MeSH

The non-classical class Ib molecule human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) has limited polymorphism and can bind HLA class Ia leader peptides (VL9). HLA-E-VL9 complexes interact with the natural killer (NK) cell receptors NKG2A-C/CD94 and regulate NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Here we report the isolation of 3H4, a murine HLA-E-VL9-specific IgM antibody that enhances killing of HLA-E-VL9-expressing cells by an NKG2A+ NK cell line. Structural analysis reveal that 3H4 acts by preventing CD94/NKG2A docking on HLA-E-VL9. Upon in vitro maturation, an affinity-optimized IgG form of 3H4 showes enhanced NK killing of HLA-E-VL9-expressing cells. HLA-E-VL9-specific IgM antibodies similar in function to 3H4 are also isolated from naïve B cells of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-negative, healthy humans. Thus, HLA-E-VL9-targeting mouse and human antibodies isolated from the naïve B cell antibody pool have the capacity to enhance NK cell cytotoxicity.

• MeSH
• antigeny HLA-E MeSH
• buňky NK MeSH
• cytotoxicita imunologická * MeSH
• HLA antigeny MeSH
• imunoglobuliny metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy * genetika   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• peptidy metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny - lokalizační signály MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• HLA antigeny MeSH
• imunoglobuliny MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy * MeSH
• peptidy MeSH
• proteiny - lokalizační signály MeSH

The field of mRNA translation has witnessed an impressive expansion in the last decade. The once standard model of translation initiation has undergone, and is still undergoing, a major overhaul, partly due to more recent technical advancements detailing, for example, initiation at non-AUG codons. However, some of the pioneering works in this area have come from immunology and more precisely from the field of antigen presentation to the major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) pathway. Despite early innovative studies from the lab of Nilabh Shastri demonstrating alternative mRNA translation initiation as a source for MHC-I peptide substrates, the mRNA translation field did not include these into their models. It was not until the introduction of the ribo-sequence technique that the extent of non-canonical translation initiation became widely acknowledged. The detection of peptides on MHC-I molecules by CD8 + T cells is extremely sensitive, making this a superior model system for studying alternative mRNA translation initiation from specific mRNAs. In view of this, we give a brief history on alternative initiation from an immunology perspective and its fundamental role in allowing the immune system to distinguish self from non-self and at the same time pay tribute to the works of Nilabh Shastri.

• Klíčová slova
• Antigen presentation, MHC class I pathway, mRNA translation initiation,
• MeSH
• CD8-pozitivní T-lymfocyty imunologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• messenger RNA genetika   imunologie   MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy genetika   imunologie   MeSH
• peptidy genetika   imunologie   MeSH
• prezentace antigenu genetika   imunologie   MeSH
• proteosyntéza genetika   imunologie   MeSH
• receptory pro aktivovanou kinasu C genetika   imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• messenger RNA MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy MeSH
• peptide I MeSH Prohlížeč
• peptidy MeSH
• receptory pro aktivovanou kinasu C MeSH

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of patients diagnosed with Graves' disease (GD) relapse within two years of thyreostatic drug withdrawal. It is then necessary to decide whether to reintroduce conservative treatment that can have serious side effects, or to choose a radical approach. Familial forms of GD indicate a significant genetic component. Our aim was to evaluate the practical benefits of HLA and PTPN22 genetic testing for the assessment of disease recurrence risk in the Czech population. METHODS: In 206 patients with GD, exon 2 in the HLA genes DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 and rs2476601 in the gene PTPN22 were sequenced. RESULTS: The risk HLA haplotype DRB1*03-DQA1*05-DQB1*02 was more frequent in our GD patients than in the general European population. During long-term retrospective follow-up (many-year to lifelong perspective), 87 patients relapsed and 26 achieved remission lasting over 2 years indicating a 23% success rate for conservative treatment of the disease. In 93 people, the success of conservative treatment could not be evaluated (thyroidectomy immediately after the first attack or ongoing antithyroid therapy). Of the examined genes, the HLA-DQA1*05 variant reached statistical significance in terms of the ability to predict relapse (p=0.03). Combinations with either both other HLA risk genes forming the risk haplotype DRB1*03-DQA1*05-DQB1*02 or with the PTPN22 SNP did not improve the predictive value. CONCLUSION: the DQA1*05 variant may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with an unclear choice of treatment strategy.

• Klíčová slova
• Graves’ disease, HLA variants, PTPN22 gene, genetic predictors, treatment,
• MeSH
• alely MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• frekvence genu genetika   MeSH
• genetická predispozice k nemoci genetika   MeSH
• Gravesova nemoc genetika   MeSH
• haplotypy genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy genetika   MeSH
• recidiva MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• tyrosinfosfatasa nereceptorového typu 22 genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• MHC antigeny I. třídy MeSH
• PTPN22 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• tyrosinfosfatasa nereceptorového typu 22 MeSH

Inbreeding depression is the reduction of performance caused by mating of close relatives. In livestock populations, inbreeding depression has been traditionally estimated by regression of phenotypes on pedigree inbreeding coefficients. This estimation can be improved by utilising genomic inbreeding coefficients. Here we estimate inbreeding depression for insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) prevalence, the most common allergic horse disease worldwide, in Old Kladruber horse. In a deep pedigree with 3214 horses (187 genotyped), we used a generalised linear mixed model with IBH phenotype from 558 horses examined between 1996 and 2009 (1368 records). In addition to the classical pedigree information, we used the single-step approach that enabled joint use of pedigree and genomic information to estimate inbreeding depression overall genome and equine leucocyte antigen (ELA) class II region. Significant inbreeding depression was observed in all models fitting overall inbreeding coefficients (odds ratio between 1.018 and 1.074, P < 0.05) with the exception of Kalinowski's new inbreeding (P = 0.0516). The increase of ELA class II inbreeding was significantly associated with increased prevalence of IBH (odds ratio 1.018; P = 0.027). However, when fitted jointly with the overall inbreeding coefficient, the effect of ELA class II inbreeding was not significant (odds ratio 1.016; P = 0.062). Overall, the higher ELA class II and/or overall inbreeding (pedigree or genomic) was associated with increased prevalence of IBH in Old Kladruber horses. The single-step approach provides an efficient use of all the available pedigree, genomic, and phenotype information for estimation of overall and regional inbreeding effects.

• Klíčová slova
• genomics, horse, inbreeding, inbreeding depression, insect bite hypersensitivity, pedigree,
• MeSH
• alergie epidemiologie   genetika   imunologie   veterinární   MeSH
• inbreeding * MeSH
• koně MeSH
• kousnutí a bodnutí hmyzem komplikace   MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy genetika   MeSH
• nemoci koní epidemiologie   genetika   imunologie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• MHC antigeny I. třídy MeSH

Natural killer cells possess key regulatory function in various malignant diseases, including acute myeloid leukemia. NK cell activity is driven by signals received through ligands binding activating or inhibitory receptors. Their activity towards elimination of transformed or virally infected cells can be mediated through MICA, MICB and ULBP ligands binding the activating receptor NKG2D. Given the efficiency of NK cells, potential target cells developed multiple protecting mechanisms to overcome NK cells killing on various levels of biogenesis of NKG2D ligands. Targeted cells can degrade ligand transcripts via microRNAs or modify them at protein level to prevent their presence at cell surface via shedding, with added benefit of shed ligands to desensitize NKG2D receptor and avert the threat of destruction via NK cells. NK cells and their activity are also indispensable during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, crucial treatment option for patients with malignant disease, including acute myeloid leukemia. Function of both NKG2D and its ligands is strongly affected by polymorphisms and particular allelic variants, as different alleles can play variable roles in ligand-receptor interaction, influencing NK cell function and HSCT outcome differently. For example, role of amino acid exchange at position 129 in MICA or at position 98 in MICB, as well as the role of other polymorphisms leading to different shedding of ligands, was described. Finally, match or mismatch between patient and donor in NKG2D ligands affect HSCT outcome. Having the information beyond standard HLA typing prior HSCT could be instrumental to find the best donor for the patient and to optimize effects of treatment by more precise patient-donor match. Here, we review recent research on the NKG2D/NKG2D ligand biology, their regulation, description of their polymorphisms across the populations of patients with AML and the influence of particular polymorphisms on HSCT outcome.

• Klíčová slova
• MICA, MICB, ULBP, acute myeloid leukemia, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, natural killer group 2 member D, polymorphism,
• MeSH
• akutní myeloidní leukemie genetika   imunologie   mortalita   terapie   MeSH
• buňky NK imunologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• individualizovaná medicína metody   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus MeSH
• lektinové receptory NK-buněk - podrodina K genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• lokální recidiva nádoru epidemiologie   genetika   MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• přežití bez známek nemoci MeSH
• transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk * MeSH
• výběr dárců metody   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• KLRK1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• lektinové receptory NK-buněk - podrodina K MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy MeSH
• MHC class I-related chain A MeSH Prohlížeč
• MICB antigen MeSH Prohlížeč

Hepcidin deficiency leads to iron overload by increased dietary iron uptake and iron release from storage cells. The most frequent mutation in Hfe leads to reduced hepcidin expression and thereby causes iron overload. Recent findings suggested that HFE activates hepcidin expression predominantly via the BMP type I receptor ALK3. Here, we investigated whether HFE exclusively utilizes ALK3 or other signaling mechanisms also. We generated mice with double deficiency of Hfe and hepatocyte-specific Alk3 and compared the iron overload phenotypes of these double knockout mice to single hepatocyte-specific Alk3 deficient or Hfe knockout mice. Double Hfe-/-/hepatic Alk3fl/fl;Alb-Cre knockouts develop a similar iron overload phenotype compared to single hepatocyte-specific Alk3 deficient mice hallmarked by serum iron levels, tissue iron content and hepcidin levels of similar grades. HFE protein levels were increased in Alk3fl/fl;Alb-Cre mice compared to Alk3fl/fl mice, which was caused by iron overload - and not by Alk3 deficiency. The data provide evidence by genetic means that 1. HFE exclusively uses the BMP type I receptor ALK3 to induce hepcidin expression and 2. HFE protein expression is induced by iron overload, which further emphasizes the iron sensing function of HFE.

• Klíčová slova
• BMP signaling, BMP type I receptor, HFE, Hepcidin, Iron overload,
• MeSH
• hepcidiny * genetika   MeSH
• játra metabolismus   MeSH
• MHC antigeny I. třídy genetika   MeSH
• myši knockoutované MeSH
• myši MeSH
• přetížení železem * genetika   MeSH
• protein hemochromatózy genetika   MeSH
• receptory morfogenetických kostních proteinů typu I MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• Bmpr1a protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• hepcidiny * MeSH
• Hfe protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• MHC antigeny I. třídy MeSH
• protein hemochromatózy MeSH
• receptory morfogenetických kostních proteinů typu I MeSH