Citations

Facial motoneuron (FMN) survival is mediated by CD4+ T cells in an interleukin-10 (IL-10)-dependent manner after facial nerve axotomy (FNA), but CD4+ T cells themselves are not the source of this neuroprotective IL-10. The aims of this study were to (1) identify the temporal and cell-specific induction of IL-10 expression in the facial motor nucleus and (2) elucidate the neuroprotective capacity of this expression after axotomy. Immunohistochemistry revealed that FMN constitutively produced IL-10, whereas astrocytes were induced to make IL-10 after FNA. Il10 mRNA co-localized with microglia before and after axotomy, but microglial production of IL-10 protein was not detected. To determine whether any single source of IL-10 was critical for FMN survival, Cre/Lox mouse strains were utilized to selectively knock out IL-10 in neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. In agreement with the localization data reflecting concerted IL-10 production by multiple cell types, no single cellular source of IL-10 alone could provide neuroprotection after FNA. These findings suggest that coordinated neuronal and astrocytic IL-10 production is necessary for FMN survival and has roles in neuronal homeostasis, as well as neuroprotective trophism after axotomy.

AbstractPediatric pulmonary malignancy can be primary or metastatic, with the latter being by far the more common. With a few exceptions, there are no well‐established evidence‐based guidelines for imaging pediatric pulmonary malignancies, although computed tomography (CT) is used in almost all cases. The aim of this article is to provide general imaging guidelines for pediatric pulmonary malignancies, including minimum standards for cross‐sectional imaging techniques and specific imaging recommendations for select entities.

Abstract Purpose: Current endoscopy-based screening and surveillance programs have not been proven effective at decreasing esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) mortality, creating an unmet need for effective molecular tests for early detection of this highly lethal cancer. We conducted a genome-wide methylation screen to identify novel methylation markers that distinguish EAC and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) from normal squamous epithelium (SQ) or nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus (NDBE). Experimental Design: DNA methylation profiling of samples from SQ, NDBE, HGD, and EAC was performed using HM450 methylation arrays (Illumina) and reduced-representation bisulfate sequencing. Ultrasensitive methylation-specific droplet digital PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based bisulfite-sequencing assays were developed to detect the methylation level of candidate CpGs in independent esophageal biopsy and endoscopic brushing samples. Results: Five candidate methylation markers were significantly hypermethylated in HGD/EAC samples compared with SQ or NDBE (P < 0.01) in both esophageal biopsy and endoscopic brushing samples. In an independent set of brushing samples used to construct biomarker panels, a four-marker panel (model 1) demonstrated sensitivity of 85.0% and 90.8% for HGD and EACs respectively, with 84.2% and 97.9% specificity for NDBE and SQ respectively. In a validation set of brushing samples, the panel achieved sensitivity of 80% and 82.5% for HGD and EAC respectively, at specificity of 67.6% and 96.3% for NDBE and SQ samples. Conclusions: A novel DNA methylation marker panel differentiates HGD/EAC from SQ/NDBE. DNA-methylation–based molecular assays hold promise for the detection of HGD/EAC using esophageal brushing samples.

Background: Aldosterone is a critical pathological driver for cardiac and renal diseases. We recently discovered that mutant atrial natriuretic peptide (MANP), a novel atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) analog, possessed more potent aldosterone inhibitory action than ANP in vivo. MANP and natriuretic peptide (NP)-augmenting therapy sacubitril/valsartan are under investigations for human hypertension treatment. Understanding the elusive mechanism of aldosterone inhibition by NPs remains to be a priority. Conflicting results were reported on the roles of the pGC-A (particulate guanylyl cyclase A receptor) and NP clearance receptor in aldosterone inhibition. Furthermore, the function of PKG (protein kinase G) and PDEs (phosphodiesterases) on aldosterone regulation are not clear. Methods: In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of aldosterone regulation in a human adrenocortical cell line H295R and in mice. Results: We first provided evidence to show that pGC-A, not NP clearance receptor, mediates aldosterone inhibition. Next, we confirmed that MANP inhibits aldosterone via PDE2 (phosphodiesterase 2) not PKG, with specific agonists, antagonists, siRNA silencing, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments. Further, the inhibitory effect is mediated by a reduction of intracellular Ca2+ levels. We then illustrated that MANP directly reduces aldosterone synthase CYP11B2 (cytochrome p450 family 11 subfamily b member 2) expression via PDE2. Last, in PDE2 knockout mice, consistent with in vitro findings, embryonic adrenal CYP11B2 is markedly increased. Conclusions: Our results innovatively explore and expand the NP/pGC-A/3',5', cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/PDE2 pathway for aldosterone inhibition by MANP in vitro and in vivo. In addition, our data also support the development of MANP as a novel ANP analog drug for aldosterone excess treatment.

Abstract Background This study investigated the prevalence, characteristics, and management of patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF) in the United States in 2012–2020, based on parenteral support (PS) prescription claims and healthcare utilization. Methods Patients with CIF were identified from the Integrated DataVerse® claims database if they had at least two PS prescriptions within 6 months and a relevant diagnosis. Analysis included prevalence and characteristics of patients with CIF, their travel distance to receive PS prescriptions, and the distribution of PS providers and their prescribing history. Results Up to 24,048 patients with CIF were identified, equivalent to 75 patients per million. CIF affected people of all ages, being more prevalent in women than in men. Many providers signed PS orders for small patient groups over short time periods, whereas few providers signed PS orders for large patient groups long term, indicating a lack of centralization. The distribution of PS providers suggested a disparity in healthcare coverage in rural vs urban areas, leading to patients traveling considerable distances to receive PS prescriptions. This may be exacerbated by a decline of providers with expertise in CIF and nutrition. Conclusions Healthcare disparities for patients with CIF have likely been obscured by the lack of CIF‐specific diagnostic and procedure codes, obliging providers to code for their patients under other codes. Effective policy changes, including centralized care, revision of reimbursement models, and expansion of nutrition‐focused education in addition to the newly introduced International Classification of Diseases codes, are needed to provide the best care for patients.

Abstract Background: Over 20 susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) have been identified for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor, Barrett esophagus (BE), explaining a small portion of heritability. Methods: Using genetic data from 4,323 BE and 4,116 EAC patients aggregated by international consortia including the Barrett's and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Consortium (BEACON), we conducted a comprehensive transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) for BE/EAC, leveraging Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) gene-expression data from six tissue types of plausible relevance to EAC etiology: mucosa and muscularis from the esophagus, gastroesophageal (GE) junction, stomach, whole blood, and visceral adipose. Two analytical approaches were taken: standard TWAS using the predicted gene expression from local expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), and set-based SKAT association using selected eQTLs that predict the gene expression. Results: Although the standard approach did not identify significant signals, the eQTL set–based approach identified eight novel associations, three of which were validated in independent external data (eQTL SNP sets for EXOC3, ZNF641, and HSP90AA1). Conclusions: This study identified novel genetic susceptibility loci for EAC and BE using an eQTL set–based genetic association approach. Impact: This study expanded the pool of genetic susceptibility loci for EAC and BE, suggesting the potential of the eQTL set–based genetic association approach as an alternative method for TWAS analysis.

TPS4615 Background: While a standard approach to muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) management involves neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical cystectomy (RC), up to 50% of pts recur with metastatic disease. Moreover, removal of the bladder has a significant impact on pts’ quality of life. Pathologic downstaging to non-muscle-invasive disease (<pT2) or complete response (pT0) at RC is associated with long-term survival benefit. Somatic DDR gene alterations were shown to be enriched in pts who were pT0 at RC following NAC in multiple retrospective analyses. We hypothesize that MIBC pts with somatic loss-of-function alterations within specific DDR genes and clinical responses to NAC can be uniquely managed with a bladder-sparing approach consisting of close cystoscopic and radiographic surveillance, avoiding the toxicities of definitive local therapy. Methods: A031701 is a multicenter phase II trial that will enroll 271 pts with T2-T4aN0/xM0 MIBC diagnosed within 60 days prior to enrollment. Multifocal MIBC, tumors >5 cm by cystoscopic assessment, and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-refractory disease (beyond standard induction and maintenance) are not allowed. Intravesical chemotherapy is allowed. Pts must be eligible for cisplatin chemotherapy. Eligible pts will receive either standard dose or dose dense gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy (investigator’s choice) with simultaneous genetic sequencing of pre-treatment transurethral resection specimens. Pts whose tumors contain deleterious alterations in any 1 of 9 pre-selected DDR genes ( ERCC2, ERCC5, BRCA1, BRCA2, RECQL4, RAD51C, ATM, ATR, and FANCC) and who exhibit <T1 response on clinical restaging are eligible for organ-sparing management. Pts without deleterious DDR gene alterations or with >T1 disease after NAC will undergo RC or chemoradiation therapy (investigator/patient choice). The primary endpoint is 3-year event-free survival in DDR-altered pts who undergo bladder sparing, defined as the proportion of pts without BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive recurrences, any >T2 recurrences, or any metastatic recurrences. Secondary endpoints include clinical response rate (<cT1) in patients with deleterious DDR gene alterations following NAC, bladder-intact survival, overall survival, pT0 rate in DDR-altered pts who elect to undergo RC, pT0 rate in pts without DDR gene alterations, 3-year RC rate in pts with DDR gene alterations, and proportion of pts undergoing intravesical management for in-bladder recurrences. The study opened for enrollment in September 2018. Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882. Clinical trial information: NCT03609216.