Quasispecies Composition of Small Ruminant Lentiviruses Found in Blood Leukocytes and Milk Epithelial Cells

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) exist as populations of closely related genetic variants, known as quasispecies, within an individual host. The privileged way of SRLVs transmission in goats is through the ingestion of colostrum and milk of infected does. Thus, characterization of SRLV variants transmitted through the milk, including milk epithelial cells (MEC), may provide useful information about the transmission and evolution of SRLVs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect SRLVs in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and milk epithelial cells of goats naturally infected with SRLVs and perform single nucleotide variations analysis to characterize the extent of genetic heterogeneity of detected SRLVs through comparison of their gag gene sequences. Blood and milk samples from 24 seropositive goats were tested in this study. The double immunolabeling against p28 and cytokeratin demonstrated that milk epithelial cells originated from naturally infected goats were infected by SRLVs. Moreover, PCR confirmed the presence of the integrated SRLVs proviral genome indicating that MECs may have a role as a reservoir of SRLVs and can transmit the virus through milk. The blood and MEC derived sequences from 7 goats were successfully sequenced using NGS and revealed that these sequences were genetically similar. The MEC and blood-derived sequences contained from 3 to 30 (mean, 10.8) and from 1 to 10 (mean, 5.4) unique SNVs, respectively. In five out of seven goats, SNVs occurred more frequent in MEC derived sequences. Non-synonymous SNVs were found in both, PBLs and MEC-derived sequences of analyzed goats and their total number differed between animals. The results of this study add to our understanding of SRLVs genomic variability. Our data provides evidence for the existence of SRLVs quasispecies and to our knowledge, this is the first study that showed quasispecies composition and minority variants of SRLVs present milk epithelial cells.

The Variants at APOA1 and APOA4 Contribute to the Susceptibility of Schizophrenia With Inhibiting mRNA Expression in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes

Objective: Abnormal lipid metabolism has a close link to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SZ). This study mainly aimed to evaluate the association of variants at apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) and APOA4 with SZ in a Chinese Han population.Methods: The rs5072 of APOA1 and rs1268354 of APOA4 were examined in a case–control study involving 2,680 patients with SZ from the hospital and 2,223 healthy controls screened by physical examination from the community population. The association was estimated with the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) by logistic regression. The APOA1 and APOA4 messenger RNA (mRNA) in peripheral blood leukocytes were measured by real-time PCR and compared between SZ cases and controls. Serum apoA1 levels were detected by turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were detected by the homogeneous method.Results: Both of the rs5072 of APOA1 and rs1268354 of APOA4 had statistically significant associations with SZ. After adjustment for age and sex, ORs (95% CIs) of the additive model of rs5072 and rs1268354 were 0.82 (0.75–0.90) and 1.120 (1.03–1.23), and p-values were 3.22 × 10−5 and 0.011, respectively. The association of rs5072 with SZ still presented statistical significance even after Bonferroni correction (p-value×6). SZ patients during the episode presented lower levels of apoA1, HDL-C, mRNA of APOA1 common variants and transcript variant 4, and APOA4 mRNA than controls (p < 0.01) while SZ patients in remission showed a significantly decreased APOA1 transcript variant 3 expression level and increased APOA4 mRNA expression level (p < 0.01). mRNA expression levels of APOA1 transcript variant 4 significantly increased with the variations of rs5072 in SZ during the episode (ptrend = 0.017). After the SZ patients received an average of 27.50 ± 9.90 days of antipsychotic treatment, the median (interquartile) of serum apoA1 in the SZ episode significantly increased from 1.03 (1.00.1.20) g/L to 1.08 (1.00.1.22) g/L with the p-value of 0.044.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the genetic variations of APOA1 rs5072 and APOA4 rs1268354 contribute to the susceptibility of SZ, and the expression levels of APOA1 and APOA4 mRNA of peripheral blood leukocytes decreased in SZ patients during the episode while APOA4 increased after antipsychotic treatment.

Longitudinal Transcriptional Analysis of Peripheral Blood Leukocytes in COVID Convalescent Donors

Abstract Introduction Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) can induce a strong host immune response. Several groups have investigated the course of antibody responses in patients recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infections but little is known about the recovery of cellular immunity. This study investigated the cellular immune response in people who had recovered from SARS-CoV2 infection. Methods 162 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma donors (CCD) and 40 healthy donor (HD) controls were enrolled prospectively in an IRB-approved protocol (Clinical Trials Number: NCT04360278) and provided written informed consent to participate in the study. Using the nCounter platform and host response panel with 785 genes across more than 50 pathways, we compared transcriptomic profiles on RNA samples obtained from the peripheral blood leukocytes of these 162 CCD and 40 HD. Additionally, in 69 of the 162 CCD samples, we evaluated transcriptomic trends at more than one-time point during the convalescent period. Results Age, sex, ethnicity, and body mass index distributions were similar among the CCD and HD. With respect to baseline complete blood counts, hemoglobin, platelets, and absolute basophil and eosinophil counts, all were similar among CCD and HD (Table 1). However, despite sample collections occurring several days after convalescence, mean counts for absolute neutrophil counts, absolute monocyte counts, and absolute lymphocyte counts were significantly higher among CCD compared to HD. 30-90 days after diagnosis, 19 of 773 genes differed (FDR < 0.05) between the average CCD and HD samples. Up-regulated genes included MAFB, CTLA4, PTGS2, and the chemokine signaling genes CXCR4, CXCL5, CXCL2 and CCR4. Down-regulated genes included PTGER2, CASP8, and the interleukins IL36A, IL31, IL20 and IL21 (Figure 1 a,b). Differential gene expression persisted for months. At 90-120 days, 13 genes were differentially regulated, including again MAFB CXCR4, PTGS2, CXCL2 and PTGER2, plus SMAD4. At 120-150 days post-diagnosis, 58 genes were differentially expressed (FDR < 0.05) compared to HD. Pathways with up-regulated genes included Treg differentiation, type III interferon signaling and chemokine signaling. 150-360 days post-diagnosis, 4 genes remained up-regulated on average (FDR < 0.05): PTGS2, PIK3CR, CXCL1 and SMAD4 (Figure 1 c,d). Individual patients varied considerably from the mean trend. Scoring samples by their similarity to the gene expression profile of the mean HD sample, 21 CCD samples from 20 unique patients (12%) were identified as highly perturbed from HD. 84% of these highly perturbed samples were collected > 90 days post-diagnosis. Of these 21 samples, 6 were distinguished by > 2-fold up-regulation of a cluster of interleukin and type-1 interferon genes (Figure 2). Conclusions Overall, our study identified important gene expression trends in CCD compared to HD in the post-acute period. The changes varied with time and among donors. As the expression of T-cell inhibitory molecule CTLA4 fell, the number of differentially expressed increased with the most marked changes occurring 120 to 150 days post-diagnosis in genes in chemokine signaling, type III interferon signaling and Treg pathways. Persistent alterations in inflammatory pathways and T-cell activation/exhaustion markers for months after active infection may help shed light on the pathophysiology of a prolonged post-viral syndrome observed in individuals following recovery from COVID-19 infection. Our data may serve as the basis for risk modification strategies in the period of active infection. Future studies may inform the ability to identify druggable targets involving these pathways to mitigate the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Danaher: NanoString Technologies: Current Employment, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company.

Modulatory potentials of zerumbone isolated from ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) on eicosanoids: evidence from LPS induced peripheral blood leukocytes.

Several bioactive molecules from plant origin have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we deciphered the anti-eicosanoid properties of zerumbone (sesquiterpene) isolated from ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) in LPS induced peripheral blood leukocytes from rats. Molecular interaction between zerumbone (Z) and eicosanoid metabolizing enzymes (COX-2, 5-LOX, FLAP, and LTA4-hydrolase) and receptors (EP-4, BLT-1, and ICAM-1) along with NOS-2 were assessed using Auto-Dock 4.2 docking software. Further, the rat peripheral blood leukocytes were isolated and treated with zerumbone (5μM) and activated using bacterial lipopolysaccharide (10nM). Oxidative stress (OS) markers, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzymes, COX-2, 5-LOX, BLT-1, EP-4 were assessed along with the activity of COX-2. Zerumbone showed a higher binding affinity with mPGES-1, NOS-2, FLAP, COX-2, LTA-4-hydrolase, and BLT-1 mediators of the eicosanoid pathway. Further, zerumbone significantly (p<0.05) inhibited COX-2, 5-LOX, NOS-2, EP-4, BLT-1, and ICAM-1 expression in LPS induced peripheral blood leukocytes from rats. Zerumbone positively modulates critical enzymes and receptors of eicosanoids in leukocytes activated with lipopolysaccharides. Thus, zerumbone offers a promising therapeutic strategy in the management of inflammation.

The association of 17q23.1 locus with advanced carotid atherosclerosis

Проведен анализ ассоциаций rs8078424 (chr17:59873104) с риском развития клинически выраженного атеросклероза сонных артерий и патогенетически значимыми для развития данной патологии количественными признаками, а также оценена связь данного генетического варианта с экспрессией гена MIR21 в лейкоцитах периферической крови пациентов. В группу обследования включены пациенты с клинически выраженным атеросклерозом сонных артерий (стеноз при ультразвуковом исследовании более 80%; n=104). В качестве контроля использованы популяционная выборка жителей г. Томска (n=161) и группа, состоящая из относительно здоровых индивидов, которые имели начальные стадии атеросклероза сонных артерий, но без гемодинамически значимых изменений (стеноз не более 24%; n=84). Генотипирование rs8078424 выполняли методом MALDI-TOF масс-спектрометрии на приборе Sequenom MassARRAY® (США). Уровень экспрессии гена MIR21 в лейкоцитах крови оценивался методом капельной цифровой ПЦР на приборе QX200 Droplet Digital PCR System (Bio-Rad). Выявлено, что генотип GG rs8078424 является протективным относительно развития клинически выраженного атеросклероза сонных артерий (OR=0,023, 95%CI:0,08-0,62; р=0,003), ассоциирован с меньшим уровнем общего холестерина в сыворотке крови и повышенной экспрессией гена MIR21 в лейкоцитах крови пациентов. Потенциальными молекулярными механизмами ассоциации rs8078424 с атеросклерозом являются изменение сайта связывания транскрипционных факторов (FOXP1, SOX18, GATA3, HOXD9, HOXD10 и C/EBPalpha), а также связь с экспрессией гена MIR21 в клетках органов-мишеней патологии. Полиморфизм локуса 17q23.1 (в области генов TUBD1, VMP1/MIR21) представляет интерес для более детального изучения подверженности к сердечно-сосудистым заболеваниям в контексте эпигенетических механизмов в отдельных клетках органов-мишеней патологии. In this study, we analyzed the association of rs8078424 (chr17:59873104) with the risk of advanced carotid atherosclerosis and disease-related traits. We also assessed the association of this genetic variant with the expression of MIR21 gene in peripheral blood leukocytes of patients. Methods. A group of cases included patients with advanced carotid atherosclerosis who had artery stenosis with 80% or more by ultrasound examination (n=104). We used two control groups. Resident population of Tomsk was the first group (n=161). A second group consists of relatively healthy individuals who had non-hemodynamically significant carotid atherosclerosis (24% or less; n=84). Genotyping of rs8078424 was performed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry on a Sequenom MassARRAY® (USA) platform. The expression level of the MIR21 gene in peripheral blood leukocytes was assessed by droplet digital PCR on a QX200 Droplet Digital PCR System (Bio-Rad). Results. The GG rs8078424 genotype was found to be protective against of advanced carotid atherosclerosis (OR=0.023, 95%CI:0.08-0.62; p=0.003) and associated with a lower level of total cholesterol in the serum and increased MIR21 gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes of the patients. Potential molecular mechanisms of the association of rs8078424 with atherosclerosis include alteration of transcription factors binding sites (FOXP1, SOX18, GATA3, HOXD9, HOXD10, and C/EBPalpha) as well as relationship with the MIR21 gene expression in cells of target organs. Conclusion. The polymorphism of the 17q23.1 locus (in the region of the TUBD1, VMP1/MIR21 genes) is of interest for a more detailed study of susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases in the context of epigenetic mechanisms in single cells of the target organs.

PSX-B-15 Real-time quantitative PCR versus droplet digital PCR for measurement of peripheral blood leukocytes interferon-tau stimulated genes in beef cattle

We aimed to compare the abundance of interferon-tau stimulated genes (ISG) transcripts in peripheral blood leukocytes of artificially inseminated beef cows using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) versus Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR). Multiparous Bos taurus beef cows (n = 7) were subjected to timed artificial insemination (TAI) on day 0. Pregnancy was determined by transrectal ultrasonography on days 26 and 30 post-TAI, and cows were classified as: pregnant (n=4; embryo detected on days 26 and 30) or non-pregnant (n = 3; no embryo detected). Coccygeal vein blood samples were collected on days 0, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 24 post-TAI. Leukocyte RNA was extracted from the buffy coat fraction using Trizol associated with the DirectZol-RNA kit and transcribed to cDNA. The abundance of ISG (ISG15 and MX2) was assessed by relative quantification to a reference gene (RPS9) using RT-qPCR and by absolute quantification using the QX100TM Droplet DigitalTM PCR System (Bio-rad Laboratories) according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED on SAS 9.4. For the RT-qPCR, pregnant cows had greater (P &lt; 0.05) ISG15 and MX2 abundance compared to non-pregnant cows on days 20 (ISG15:0.11±0.1 vs. 0.01±0.001 and MX2:0.73±0.4 vs. 0.06±0.06) and 24 (ISG15:0.34±0.2 vs. 0.01±0.001 and MX2:0.77±0.2 vs. 0.13±0.04). For ddPCR, a greater ISG15 and MX2 copy numbers in pregnant cows was observed on days 15 (ISG15:129 vs. 44 copies/µl and MX2:33 vs. 10 copies/µl) and 20 (ISG15: 216 vs. 30 copies/µl and MX2: 44 vs. 7 copies/µl), and also on day 24 for ISG15 (32 vs. 7 copies/µl) compared to non-pregnant cows. In conclusion, ddPCR was able to detect an earlier expression of ISG in pregnant cows. Future studies are needed to enroll more animals and establish a suitable cutoff value using ddPCR, which could be less subjective for diagnosis as it does not require the use of a reference gene.