Research

Genetically predicted longer telomere length is associated with increased risk of B-cell lymphoma subtypes.

Hum Mol Genet. 2016 Apr 15;25(8):1663-76

Authors: Machiela MJ, Lan Q, Slager SL, Vermeulen RC, Teras LR, Camp NJ, Cerhan JR, Spinelli JJ, Wang SS, Nieters A, Vijai J, Yeager M, Wang Z, Ghesquières H, McKay J, Conde L, de Bakker PI, Cox DG, Burdett L, Monnereau A, Flowers CR, De Roos AJ, Brooks-Wilson AR, Giles GG, Melbye M, Gu J, Jackson RD, Kane E, Purdue MP, Vajdic CM, Albanes D, Kelly RS, Zucca M, Bertrand KA, Zeleniuch-Jacquotte A, Lawrence C, Hutchinson A, Zhi D, Habermann TM, Link BK, Novak AJ, Dogan A, Asmann YW, Liebow M, Thompson CA, Ansell SM, Witzig TE, Tilly H, Haioun C, Molina TJ, Hjalgrim H, Glimelius B, Adami HO, Roos G, Bracci PM, Riby J, Smith MT, Holly EA, Cozen W, Hartge P, Morton LM, Severson RK, Tinker LF, North KE, Becker N, Benavente Y, Boffetta P, Brennan P, Foretova L, Maynadie M, Staines A, Lightfoot T, Crouch S, Smith A, Roman E, Diver WR, Offit K, Zelenetz A, Klein RJ, Villano DJ, Zheng T, Zhang Y, Holford TR, Turner J, Southey MC, Clavel J, Virtamo J, Weinstein S, Riboli E, Vineis P, Kaaks R, Boeing H, Tjønneland A, Angelucci E, Di Lollo S, Rais M, De Vivo I, Giovannucci E, Kraft P, Huang J, Ma B, Ye Y, Chiu BC, Liang L, Park JH, Chung CC, Weisenburger DD, Fraumeni JF, Salles G, Glenn M, Cannon-Albright L, Curtin K, Wu X, Smedby KE, de Sanjose S, Skibola CF, Berndt SI, Birmann BM, Chanock SJ, Rothman N

Abstract
Evidence from a small number of studies suggests that longer telomere length measured in peripheral leukocytes is associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, these studies may be biased by reverse causation, confounded by unmeasured environmental exposures and might miss time points for which prospective telomere measurement would best reveal a relationship between telomere length and NHL risk. We performed an analysis of genetically inferred telomere length and NHL risk in a study of 10 102 NHL cases of the four most common B-cell histologic types and 9562 controls using a genetic risk score (GRS) comprising nine telomere length-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms. This approach uses existing genotype data and estimates telomere length by weighing the number of telomere length-associated variant alleles an individual carries with the published change in kb of telomere length. The analysis of the telomere length GRS resulted in an association between longer telomere length and increased NHL risk [four B-cell histologic types combined; odds ratio (OR) = 1.49, 95% CI 1.22-1.82,P-value = 8.5 × 10(-5)]. Subtype-specific analyses indicated that chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) was the principal NHL subtype contributing to this association (OR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.93-3.51,P-value = 4.0 × 10(-10)). Significant interactions were observed across strata of sex for CLL/SLL and marginal zone lymphoma subtypes as well as age for the follicular lymphoma subtype. Our results indicate that a genetic background that favors longer telomere length may increase NHL risk, particularly risk of CLL/SLL, and are consistent with earlier studies relating longer telomere length with increased NHL risk.

PMID: 27008888 [PubMed – in process]

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Hyperexpansion of Functional Viral-Specific CD8+ T Cells in Lymphopenia-Associated MCMV Pneumonitis.

Viral Immunol. 2015 Jun;28(5):255-64

Authors: Shah PD, Zhong Q, Lendermon EA, Pipeling MR, McDyer JF

Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts, many of whom undergo significant periods of lymphopenia. However, the impact of lymphopenia and subsequent immune reconstitution on T cell responses and pulmonary pathology are poorly understood. Using a model of primary murine CMV infection in mice treated with cyclophosphamide (CY), the relationship of CD8+ T cell reconstitution to pneumonitis pathology was studied. Female BALB/c mice were infected with murine CMV (MCMV) with/without CY on day 1 post-infection. Lung pathology and viral specific T cell responses were assessed on days 7-28. T cell lymphocyte subsets, effector responses, and MCMV specificity were assessed at baseline and after in vitro stimulation of cells with immediate-early peptide pp89. CY treatment of MCMV-infected mice resulted in interstitial pneumonitis not seen with MCMV alone. Compared to MCMV alone, on day 14, MCMV/CY mice had greater number of CD8+ T cells, a fourfold increase in absolute number of pp89 tetramer-specific CD8+ cells, and an eightfold increase in MCMV specific T cell effector responses (IFN-γ; p<0.001). This expansion was preceded by transient lymphopenia, increased viral titers, and, most strikingly, a 10-fold increased proliferative capacity in MCMV/CY mice. In the setting of CY-associated lymphopenia, concurrent MCMV infection alters immune reconstitution toward a hyperexpanded MCMV-specific CD8+ effector T cell pool that correlates with significant lung immunopathology.

PMID: 26046830 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

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Pre-Transplant Screening for Latent Adenovirus in Donors and Recipients.

Open Microbiol J. 2016;10:4-11

Authors: Piatti G

Abstract
Human adenoviruses are frequent cause of slight self-limiting infections in immune competent subjects, while causing life-threatening and disseminated diseases in immunocompromised patients, particularly in the subjects affected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and in bone marrow and organ transplant recipients. Here, infections interest lungs, liver, encephalon, heart, kidney and gastro enteric tract. To date, human adenoviruses comprise 51 serotypes grouped into seven species, among which species C especially possesses the capability to persist in infected tissues. From numerous works, it emerges that in the recipient, because of loss of immune-competence, both primary infection, via the graft or from the environment, and reactivated endogenous viruses can be responsible for transplantation related adenovirus disease. The transplants management should include the evaluation of anti-adenovirus pre-transplant screening similar to that concerning cytomegalovirus. The serological screening on cytomegalovirus immunity is currently performed to prevent viral reactivation from grafts and recipient, the viral spread and dissemination to different organs and apparatus, and potentially lethal outcome.

PMID: 27006724 [PubMed]

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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases: A Single-Center Experience.

Exp Clin Transplant. 2016 Mar 21;

Authors: Patiroglu T, Akar HH, Unal E, Ozdemir MA, Karakukcu M

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The only curative treatment for many patients with primary immunodeficiency disease is hematopoietic stem cell transplant. In this study, we report the transplant outcomes of patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Herein, we present the transplant outcomes of 20 patients with primary immunodeficiency disease seen at our center in Kayseri, Turkey, from 2010 to 2015.
RESULTS: The disease distribution of the 20 patients were as follows: 6 patients with severe combined immunodeficiency, 4 patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, 2 patients with chronic granulomatous disease, 2 patients with type 2 Griscelli syndrome, 2 patients with B-cell deficiency plus bone marrow failure, 1 patient with severe congenital neutropenia, 1 patient with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease, 1 patient with T-cell deficiency plus relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 1 patient with type 1 leukocyte adhesion deficiency. Of the 20 patients, 11 received related HLA-matched, 6 received haploidentical, 2 received unrelated HLA-matched, and 1 received HLA-mismatched transplant. The median age at transplant was 21 months, and median follow-up was 5 months. Overall survival rate was 65%. Mean engraftment times for neutrophils and platelets were 14.25 ± 3.08 and 24.7 ± 11.4 days. Graft-versus-host disease was observed in 30% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary immunodeficiency disease treated at our center had acceptable transplant outcomes. This study supports the use of hematopoietic stem cell transplant in patients with primary immunodeficiency disease.

PMID: 27001505 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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The Evolving Landscape of Primary Immunodeficiencies.

J Clin Immunol. 2016 Mar 23;

Authors: Gennery AR

PMID: 27004690 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Primary Kaposi’s sarcoma of the nasal cavity: a case report and review of the literature.

Clin Sarcoma Res. 2016;6:4

Authors: Mouden K, Khmou M, Loughmari S, Semmar A, El Kacemi H, El Khannoussi B, Kebdani T, Elmajjaoui S, Benjaafar N

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Kaposi sarcoma is a neoplastic vascular disorder. It usually present on the skin of the upper and lower extremities, rarely in the mucosa of the head and neck. The most common sites reported are within the oral cavity, particularly on the palate. Other mucosal sites are rare. We present an unusual case where the primary manifestation of the Kaposi’s sarcoma was in the nasal mucosa.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old female of Mediterranean descent presented with a 1 year history of swelling on the left side of her nose, nasal obstruction and occasional minor epistaxes. Physical examination showed a firm and bulging polypoid mass which filled the left nasal cavity without cutaneous lesions. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a tumor, measuring 77 mm in diameter, occupying the left nasal cavity causing erosion of nasal septum and extending posteriorly to the left choana and nasopharynx. There was bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Patient treated with chemotherapy alone. She was in a complete response after the first cycle. The patient received no further treatment. She needs a regular medical checkups that include a review of a patient’s medical history and a complete physical exam. She is in excellent local control over 12 months.
CONCLUSIONS: A review of the literature revealed that only seven cases of primary Kaposi sarcoma of the nasal cavity have previously been published and only two of them presented in a patient not associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Here, we report the third case where the primary manifestation of the Kaposi sarcoma was in the nasal cavity in a patient with an adequate immune system.

PMID: 26998222 [PubMed]

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Mannose-binding Lectin Deficiency in Patients with a History of Recurrent Infections.

Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016 Feb;15(1):69-74

Authors: Rashidi E, Fazlollahi MR, Zahedifard S, Talebzadeh A, Kazemnejad A, Saghafi S, Pourpak Z

Abstract
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a protein of innate immune system that is involved in opsonization and complement activation. MBL deficiency is associated with predisposition to infectious diseases; however subnormal levels are also seen in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical manifestation of MBL deficiency in patients with increased susceptibility to infection. We studied the MBL serum concentration of 104 patients with a history of recurrent and/or severe infections referred to Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute (IAARI) in order to evaluate the primary immunodeficiency (PID). The distribution of MBL deficiency in these patients and 593 healthy subjects of previous study were analyzed. The frequency of individuals with MBL deficiency was significantly higher in patients with recurrent and/or severe infections (13.5% [14/104]) compared with healthy subjects (4.7% [28/593]; p=0.001; OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.5-6.1). However, in 10.9% (7/64) of patients with recurrent infections without any immunodeficiency background, the MBL deficiency was detected. On the whole, our findings indicate an association between MBL deficiency and increased susceptibility to infections.

PMID: 26996114 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Activation of PKC-δ in HTLV-1-infected T cells.

Int J Oncol. 2015 Apr;46(4):1609-18

Authors: Mori N, Ishikawa C, Senba M

Abstract
Protein kinase C (PKC)-δ is a member of the PKC family. It has been implicated in tumor suppression as well as survival of various cancers. The aggressive malignancy of T lymphocytes known as adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is associated with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection. In this study, we show that HTLV-1-infected T cells are characterized by phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of PKC-δ. Expression of HTLV-1 regulatory protein Tax increased PKC-δ phosphorylation. Blockade of PKC-δ by rottlerin suppressed PKC-δ phosphorylation and inhibited cell viability in HTLV-1-infected T-cell lines and primary ATL cells. Rottlerin induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and caspase-mediated apoptosis of HTLV-1-infected T cells. Rottlerin downregulated the expression of proteins involved in G1/S cell cycle transition, cyclin D2, CDK4 and 6, and c-Myc, resulting in dephosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb). Furthermore, rottlerin reduced the expression of important anti-apoptotic proteins (e.g., survivin, XIAP, Bcl-xL and c-FLIP) and Bcl-2 phosphorylation, and activated the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Our results showed that permanent activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by HTLV-1 Tax allows infected cells to escape cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and that PKC-δ mediates Tax-induced activation of NF-κB. Based on these findings, new therapies designed to target PKC-δ could be potentially useful in the treatment of ATL.

PMID: 25625567 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

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Next Generation Sequencing Data Analysis in Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders – Future Directions.

J Clin Immunol. 2016 Mar 18;

Authors: Fang M, Abolhassani H, Lim CK, Zhang J, Hammarström L

Abstract
Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) comprise a group of highly heterogeneous immune system diseases and around 300 forms of PID have been described to date. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) has recently become an increasingly used approach for gene identification and molecular diagnosis of human diseases. Herein we summarize the practical considerations for the interpretation of NGS data and the techniques for searching disease-related PID genes, and suggest future directions for research in this field.

PMID: 26993986 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Treating Immunodeficiency through HSC Gene Therapy.

Trends Mol Med. 2016 Mar 15;

Authors: Booth C, Gaspar HB, Thrasher AJ

Abstract
Haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy has been successfully employed as a therapeutic option to treat specific inherited immune deficiencies, including severe combined immune deficiencies (SCID) over the past two decades. Initial clinical trials using first-generation gamma-retroviral vectors to transfer corrective DNA demonstrated clinical benefit for patients, but were associated with leukemogenesis in a number of cases. Safer vectors have since been developed, affording comparable efficacy with an improved biosafety profile. These vectors are now in Phase I/II clinical trials for a number of immune disorders with more preclinical studies underway. Targeted gene editing allowing precise DNA correction via platforms such as ZFNs, TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9 may now offer promising strategies to improve the safety and efficacy of gene therapy in the future.

PMID: 26993219 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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