EBioMedicine最新文献

Background: The impact of CFTR modulator therapy on host immunity and outcomes in people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF)-related Aspergillus lung disease is poorly defined. We aimed to characterise fungal-relevant clinical outcomes post-CFTR modulators and assess effects on the Aspergillus-dependent Type I/III interferome.

Methods: Biomarkers of Aspergillus-related lung disease (Aspergillus-specific IgE/IgG), anti-fungal and corticosteroid therapy were analysed in a retrospective cohort of people with CF pre and post Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI) modulator therapy. Homozygous F508del (CF) and CFTR TALEN-corrected bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) were challenged with Aspergillus conidia and hyphae in the presence or absence of ETI CFTR modulator therapy with bulk RNA transcriptomics and RT-PCR used to analyse Type I/III interferon genes. Effects of exogenous type I and III interferons on CF-neutrophil antifungal effector function was further characterised.

Findings: CFTR modulator (ETI) therapy was associated with a significant reduction in Aspergillus biomarkers alongside use of corticosteroid and anti-fungal therapy. In vitro Aspergillus stimulation enriched the Type I/III interferome in CFTR-corrected BECs compared to CF BECs, with ETI therapy partially restoring type I/III interferon gene expression in CF BECs. Administration of exogenous IFNλ1 increased anti-fungal killing in CF neutrophils without increased reactive-oxygen species or neutrophil extracellular trap production.

Interpretation: CFTR modulators have led to improved clinical outcomes in CF related Aspergillus-related lung disease potentially due to partial restoration of the host antifungal epithelial type I/III interferon response. Exogenous IFNλ1 further improved antifungal killing capacity of CF-neutrophils presenting a plausible future therapeutic strategy.

Funding: This study was funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust (SRC015).

Background: High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) presents a significant therapeutic challenge. Late-stage disease is frequently associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The peritoneal metastases exhibit a unique tumour microenvironment (TME) distinct from the primary tumours and other metastatic sites. Understanding the critical influence of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in shaping the tumour phenotype is essential for the development of effective new therapies.

Methods: This study introduces a three-dimensional (3D) model of HGSOC peritoneal metastases using a porcine decellularised peritoneal-derived ECM scaffold, referred to as peritoneal matrix (PerMa).

Findings: We show that the decellularisation maintains the structural integrity and composition of ECM molecules. Comparative analysis reveals structural, compositional, and mechanical similarities between porcine and human peritoneal matrices, underscoring the porcine model's translational relevance for modelling human peritoneum physiology. The PerMa supports the 3D growth of HGSOC cell lines. The model enables the assessment of sensitivity to traditional chemotherapy and novel cell-based immunotherapy through confocal imaging and quantification of cell volume.

Interpretation: Our model offers a valuable platform for investigating peritoneal carcinomatosis in HGSOC, with the potential to contribute significantly to developing novel therapeutic approaches.

Funding: Financial support was provided by the University of Bergen, Helse Vest RHF (F-12183-D10616, 779, 911182, 912035, and 912146), Helse Bergen HF (240222), the Norwegian Cancer Society (6833652 and 182735), the Research Council of Norway grants (250317, 326300, 223250, 262652, and 295910), the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF21OC0070381), the Kolbjørn Brambani Legat for Kreftforskning, the National Institute of Health (R01CA199646) and the Swedish Cancer Society (21 1888 Pj).

Background: The presence of cystic fibrosis (CF) in diverse groups is known but its incidence is not established in non-European populations. We predict that the number of births with CF in populations with non-European and European ancestry are comparable, and that sampling the general population may inform improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Methods: We curated pathogenic CFTR variants from the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD, versions 2.1 and 4.0) for different groups and estimated the incidence per 100,000 births using Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. To estimate annual births with CF, we used United Nations population statistics. Additionally, we estimated the percentages of alleles missed by common screening panels and those not approved for treatment using highly effective modulator therapies (HEMT).

Findings: CF affects 44-52, 11-14, 7, 6, 4, and 0.2-1 births per 100,000 in European, African/African American, Admixed American, South Asian, East Asian, and Middle Eastern groups, respectively. Due to higher birth rates, the estimated annual births with CF in India (1426-1582) and Brazil (330-390) are comparable to those in the US (∼1000) and UK (∼300). The expanded Wisconsin screening panel misses the fewest variants in all groups (1-30% pathogenic alleles), while other screening panels miss 25->70% of pathogenic alleles from non-European groups. Of the pathogenic alleles in non-European groups, 25-40% were not approved for treatment using HEMT.

Interpretation: Absolute number of CF births in South America, Asia, and Africa may be comparable to those in the US and Europe. Improved diagnostics, therapeutics, and access to HEMT will benefit thousands of people with CF globally.

Funding: None.

Background: Maladaptive inflammation and cellular senescence contribute to diabetic kidney disease (DKD) pathogenesis and represent important therapeutic targets. Senolytic agents selectively remove senescent cells and reduce inflammation-associated tissue damage. In our pilot clinical trial in patients with DKD, the senolytic combination dasatinib plus quercetin (D + Q) reduced systemic inflammation, senescent cell abundance, and macrophage infiltration in fat. However, D + Q senotherapeutic effects on diabetic kidney injury, senescence, inflammation, and geroprotective factors have not been established.

Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced with intraperitoneal streptozotocin in male C57BL/6J mice, followed by a 5-day oral gavage regimen of either D + Q (5 and 50 mg/kg, respectively) or vehicle. Kidney function and markers of injury, fibrosis, inflammation, cellular senescence, and geroprotective factors were measured. In vitro studies examined reparative effects of D + Q in high glucose-treated human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK2), endothelial cells (HUVECs), and U937-derived macrophages.

Findings: D + Q improved kidney function and reduced markers of kidney injury (glomerular and tubular), fibrosis, senescence (p16^Ink4a), macrophage- and senescence-associated inflammation (versus diabetic controls) without altering glucose levels. Additionally, geroprotective factors (α-Klotho, Sirtuin-1) increased. D + Q treatment in vitro reduced high glucose-induced senescence and inflammation (NF-κB) in HK2, HUVECs, and macrophages.

Interpretation: A "hit-and-run" senolytic treatment with D + Q improved kidney function and mitigated murine DKD by modulating the inflammatory landscape, reducing senescent cell abundance, and restoring geroprotective factors. Taken together, the beneficial effects in kidneys of mice and prior systemic effects in humans, support the rationale for further clinical investigations applying D + Q to enhance healthspan in individuals with DKD.

Funding: This research was supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH): [DK123492, DK109134, and AG076537 (LJH); DK120292 and HL158691 (LOL); AG087387 (YZ); R37AG013925 (TT and JLK)]; NIDDK Diabetes Complications Consortium [DK115255, DK076169 (LJH)]; Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery (LJH); TT and JLK are supported by a grant from the Hevolution Foundation (HF-GRO-23-1199148-3), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Connor Fund, and Robert J. and Theresa W. Ryan.

Background: Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID), caused by GGC repeat expansions in NOTCH2NLC, is a neurodegenerative disease frequently involved with cognitive impairment. Limited studies have focused on the biomarkers alteration in patients with NIID and presymptomatic NIID (preNIID) individuals. The clinical overlap between NIID and AD drives the exploration of plasma biomarker alterations in NIID and preNIID.

Methods: Cohorts 1 (87 patients with NIID, 147 individuals with Alzheimer's disease [AD], and 110 healthy controls [HCs]) and 2 (26 individuals with preNIID and 26 HCs) were included. Eight plasma biomarkers including amyloid-β (Aβ) 40, Aβ42, neurofilament light (NfL), α-synuclein (α-syn), phosphorylated tau protein 181 (p-tau181), p-tau217, p-tau231, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected. Neuropsychological scores, magnetic resonance imaging measures, Aβ positron emission tomography (Aβ-PET), and tau-PET were analysed.

Findings: P-tau217, p-tau231, p-tau181, α-syn, NfL, and GFAP levels were elevated in patients with NIID compared with HCs; p-tau species and GFAP were also upregulated in preNIID. P-tau species, particularly p-tau217, effectively distinguished NIID/preNIID from HCs (AUC 0.814/0.848), but failed to differentiate NIID from AD. The level of p-tau217 was associated with MMSE and FAB scores in dementia-dominant subtype, and the level of GFAP correlated to white matter volume. A tau-PET study revealed distinct tau deposition on the occipital lobe and temporal pole in NIID without Aβ pathology.

Interpretation: The significant changes of p-tau levels and prominent tau deposition highlight tau pathology involvement in NIID. Elevated plasma p-tau species in preNIID/NIID indicate their potential as biomarkers for NIID.

Funding: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82394421, 82394420, 82371866, 82371434); the National Key R&D Program of China (2022ZD0213700); Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (2023JJ10097, 2025JJ40089, 2023JJ40948).

Background: The oral delivery of native glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) using recombinant probiotics has shown hypoglycaemic effects and glucose tolerance improvement in diabetic mice. However, the pharmacological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to clarify whether GLP-1 analogues cross the intestinal mucosal barrier and exert systemic hypoglycaemic effects.

Methods: The recombinant Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) was constructed for oral delivery of long-duration GLP-1 (LGLP) or exendin-4 (EX4). The hypoglycemic effects in vivo were investigated in db/db mice. The pancreatic islet structure and DNA replication were studied with BrdU-labelled double immunofluorescence. The peptide absorptions in vitro and in vivo were traced with tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) labelled LGLP or EX4. The Ussing Chamber test with rat intestinal mucosa and the absorption test in the ligated loops of intestinal tube were used to verify the absorption of GLP-1 analogues.

Findings: The supernatant of recombinant L. lactis expressing LGLP or EX4 stimulated proliferation and insulin secretion in rat insulinoma cell INS-1 in vitro. The LGLP-recombinant L. lactis significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, improved oral glucose tolerance, especially increased the number and size of pancreatic islets after oral administration for 4 weeks in diabetic mice. TMR-labelled LGLP or EX4 peptides were internalized by intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. LGLP and EX4 peptides crossed the rat intestinal mucosa and entered the opposite chamber in a receptor-mediated endocytosis manner in the Ussing Chamber test. Following injection into the ligated intestinal loops, a small amount of TMR-labelled LGLP or EX4 was observed in the lamina propria of intestinal villi, pancreas and other tissues through mucosal absorption.

Interpretation: Oral delivery of GLP-1 analogues by recombinant L. lactis restored the structure of pancreatic islets and exerted systemic hypoglycaemic effects through receptor-mediated intestinal mucosa absorption.

Funding: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Science and Technology Program Key Projects of Guangdong Province (China), the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province (China), and the Biomedical Innovation Foundation of China Pharmaceutical Association &Yiling Pharmaceutical Company.

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men, with advanced cases exhibiting resistance to androgen deprivation therapy. Dysregulated lipid metabolism has emerged as a hallmark of aggressive PC. This study investigates the biological underpinnings of a circulating three-lipid signature (3LS) previously validated as a prognostic biomarker in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Methods: Using plasma samples from 16 mCRPC patients (8 positive and 8 negative for the 3LS), we assessed the impact of 3LS-positive plasma on three prostate cancer cell lines representative of disease progression. We investigated changes in cell viability and intracellular lipid metabolism associated with plasma from the two patient cohorts.

Findings: Exposure to 3LS-positive plasma improved cell viability across AR-positive (LNCaP, C4-2B) and AR-negative (PC3) cell lines compared to exposure to 3LS-negative plasma. Lipidomic profiling revealed elevated sphingolipids and glycosphingolipids in 3LS-positive plasma-treated cells, accompanied by metabolic shifts characterised by increased monounsaturated and reduced polyunsaturated fatty acid levels. Inhibition of sphingosine kinase 1 abrogated the 3LS-positive plasma-treatment phenotype consistent with ceramide/sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) signalling being the mechanism of action.

Interpretation: These findings suggest that the circulating 3LS is not just a prognostic biomarker, but an actionable signature reflecting changes in PC biology. The plasma lipid milieu identified by the 3LS drives a pro-survival phenotype by modifying lipid metabolism and upregulating ceramide/S1P signalling. The study provides the biological rationale to target ceramide-S1P signalling in patients, who are 3LS-positive.

Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Investigator grants (1196225; 2009965; 1197190); Cancer Institute New South Wales Translational Program Grant (TPG172146); Victorian Government Operational Infrastructure Support Program; Australian Government Research Training Program; University of Sydney merit award.