Publications by authors named "Alfaidy N"
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers aimed to determine the role of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in avelumab's effectiveness and whether variations in the FcγR3A receptor can predict patient responses.
- * Findings confirmed the presence of FcγR3A+ natural killer (NK) cells in PD-L1-expressing GTN, and that avelumab enhances NK cell activity, further suggesting higher affinity FcγR3A variants may
Article Synopsis
- A study investigated the link between environmental chemicals, specifically phthalates, and changes in the placenta's weight, vascular resistance, and overall efficiency.
- Previous research on the effects of chemicals like phenols and phthalates on placental health has been limited and compromised due to inaccuracies in exposure measurement.
- This prospective study included a cohort of mothers and children, analyzing multiple urine samples from pregnant women to assess chemical exposure and its effects on placental parameters.
Article Synopsis
- Normal fetal growth and placental development require active blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) at the mother-baby interface during pregnancy.
- Researchers have developed a new, noninvasive method to measure placental blood vessel growth in pregnant mice using a fluorescent molecule, Angiostamp700, that targets specific proteins found in developing blood vessels.
- This method allows for the quantification of angiogenic activity and provides insights into pregnancy outcomes without harming the mother or fetus.
Article Synopsis
- Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD) include rare tumors related to pregnancy, with gestational choriocarcinoma (CC) being a highly aggressive type that can lead to high mortality if not treated quickly.
- CC has a higher incidence in molar pregnancies and poses greater risks in developing countries, with rates as high as 20 cases per 1,000 pregnancies.
- A new animal model for CC was created by injecting specific cancer cells into the placenta of pregnant mice, allowing researchers to mimic cancer development and metastasis, which highlights the role of placental blood vessels in spreading the tumor.
Article Synopsis
- Predicting spontaneous preterm birth is challenging for public health, especially in asymptomatic women.
- This study aimed to assess whether circulating levels of EG-VEGF can effectively predict preterm birth in women at high risk for placenta-related issues, using data from 200 patients.
- Results showed that women who experienced spontaneous preterm birth had significantly higher EG-VEGF levels at various points in pregnancy, suggesting that these levels could serve as a reliable biomarker for assessing this risk.
Article Synopsis
- - Prokineticins (PROK1 and PROK2) are small proteins that have various roles in the brain, but their specific impacts on different brain cell types and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are not well understood.
- - This study examined how PROK1 and PROK2 affect murine cell lines representing microvascular endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons, finding that PROK1 decreased neural cell proliferation while PROK2 reduced proliferation across all cell types tested.
- - Both PROK1 and PROK2 increased cell migration in all lines, and their effects on astrocyte migration could be blocked by specific antagonists; moreover, PROKs were shown to increase BBB permeability, which could also be
Article Synopsis
- - The cellular prion protein (PrP) is a glycoprotein found on cell surfaces, primarily in the brain and peripheral tissues, linked to various functions including signaling, copper homeostasis, and cell adhesion.
- - PrP is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and has been found to be expressed in multiple types of cancers, where it aids in tumor growth, cellular invasion, and resistance to chemotherapy.
- - The review highlights the varied expression of PrP in different cancers and suggests its potential as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Article Synopsis
- Prokineticins (PKs) are small peptides discovered two decades ago, now recognized for their various roles as angiogenic, anorectic, proinflammatory agents, and their involvement in different diseases, making them potential biomarkers.
- PKs interact with two receptors, PKR1 and PKR2, which have unique therapeutic potentials in treating conditions like cardiovascular, metabolic, neural diseases, pain, and cancer.
- The article reviews the functions of the PK family, highlights knowledge gaps about their receptors and ligands, and suggests that understanding these proteins better could lead to new, safe treatment strategies.
Article Synopsis
- Gestational choriocarcinoma (GC) is a serious tumor connected to hydatidiform moles, with NLRP7 being a key gene linked to its development and immune response.
- *Research shows that NLRP7 can operate through different pathways, significantly influencing cancer cell survival and aggressive traits in tumor cells compared to non-tumor cells.
- *Finding that NLRP7 plays a crucial role in GC growth suggests it could be a valuable target for new treatment strategies for resistant patients.
Article Synopsis
- Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is linked to placental insufficiency and inflammation, with poorly understood mechanisms involving inflammasomes.
- A study analyzed inflammasome gene expression in placental tissues from FGR and control pregnancies, revealing increased expression of NLRP3 and specific caspases and decreased IL-10 in FGR cases.
- Experiments showed that LPS-induced inflammation raised NLRP3 levels in trophoblast models but could be mitigated by targeting NLRP3 with siRNA, suggesting its significant role in inflammation-related trophoblast dysfunction contributing to FGR.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the role of soluble CD146 (sCD146) and its interaction with galectin-1 (Gal1) in pregnancy complications, particularly focusing on placenta-related issues.
- Researchers conducted experiments involving 115 women divided into healthy, normal pregnancy, and pregnancy complication groups to analyze trophoblast migration and measure levels of sCD146 and Gal1.
- Results indicated that lower sCD146 and higher Gal1 levels are present in normal pregnancies, while elevated sCD146 in preeclampsia patients suggests that sCD146 could serve as a biomarker and a possible therapeutic target for such complications.
Article Synopsis
- Preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, is linked to higher rates of perinatal death and long-term neurological issues in babies.
- Acute chorioamnionitis occurs in 70% of preterm labor cases and leads to significant health problems for the newborn.
- Recent research focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind chorioamnionitis, using animal models to discover treatments, and finding early diagnostic markers to improve outcomes for both mothers and infants.
Article Synopsis
- Gestational choriocarcinoma (CC) is a serious type of cancer linked to abnormal pregnancies, often leading to metastasis and maternal mortality.
- Recent research indicates a connection between recurrent hydatidiform moles and mutations in the NLRP7 gene, which is involved in immune responses.
- NLRP7 is found to be overexpressed in CC cells, promoting immune tolerance and affecting cell behavior, which may contribute to both normal placentation and the aggressiveness of choriocarcinoma.
Article Synopsis
- The human placenta exhibits some characteristics similar to tumors, such as rapid growth and immune evasion, but the transition from benign to malignant conditions is not well understood.
- A study using a 730-gene panel discovered 33 genes that differed between hydatidiform moles and postmolar choriocarcinoma, highlighting the dysregulation of the TGF-β pathway.
- The findings suggest that the TGF-β pathway plays a significant role in placental cancer progression, and further research could explore its potential as a biomarker and treatment target.
Article Synopsis
- * Results showed that vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with PMCs compared to those with uncomplicated pregnancies, with a fivefold increase in PMC risk for those who were vitamin D deficient.
- * The findings indicate a strong negative correlation between vitamin D levels at 32 weeks and the risk of developing PMCs, highlighting the potential importance of vitamin D in maintaining placental health and preventing complications.
Significance of the placental barrier in antenatal viral infections.
Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis
December 2021
Article Synopsis
- The placenta acts as a protective barrier during pregnancy to prevent infections from reaching the fetus, but some pathogens can still breach this barrier.
- This review focuses on the effects of specific viruses—Zika, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2—on pregnant women and their babies, examining how these infections alter immune responses and disrupt placental function.
- By understanding how viral infections interact with the placenta, researchers aim to develop treatments to reduce the risk of harm to the fetus from such infections.
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers employed clinical analysis of placentas and sera, in vitro studies on tumor growth, and in vivo mouse models to study NLRP7's impact on CC.
- * Findings revealed that NLRP7 promotes tumor cell proliferation and organization, while its absence in pregnant mice led to stronger maternal immune responses and reduced tumor growth and metastasis, highlighting its role in creating an immunosuppressive environment that aids CC progression.
Article Synopsis
- - Cystic fibrosis (CF) results from mutations in the CFTR gene, leading to early lung inflammation (EI) that occurs without bacterial infection, potentially linked to oxidative stress (OX-S) due to imbalances in oxidants and antioxidants.
- - Recent research shows that copper (Cu), an essential trace element, contributes to oxidative stress in bronchial cells, but its specific role in CF-related early inflammation had not been studied before.
- - In experiments with healthy and CF bronchial cells, it was found that CF cells exhibited inflammation independent of CFTR function, with altered mitochondrial activity, increased metal concentrations, and significant associations between elevated copper levels, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses.
Article Synopsis
- - EG-VEGF, a member of the prokineticin family, plays a key role in human placental development and is linked to pregnancy issues like preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction.
- - Research shows that targeting its receptors (PROKR1 and PROKR2) with antagonists (PC7 and PKRA) can reverse unhealthy effects, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for pregnancy complications.
- - A study demonstrated that using these antagonists improves trophoblast cell functions and supports better fetal growth, indicating their potential as safe treatments to enhance pregnancy outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are crucial for placental development during pregnancy, with vasculogenesis happening in the first trimester and angiogenesis following to form new blood vessels.
- These processes involve remodeling at the fetomaternal interface and are influenced by various factors, including new families of proteins and homeobox genes.
- Recent findings link changes in angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors to serious pregnancy complications like fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia, highlighting potential clinical strategies targeting these proteins for treatment.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the role of two proteins, VEGF and EG-VEGF, along with their receptors, in head and neck cancers (HNC) to understand how they contribute to the disease’s development and progression.
- Serum samples from 64 HNC patients and tissue samples from 14 individuals (7 with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 7 with epulis) were analyzed through various assays in hospitals and research institutions in Morocco and France.
- Results showed that levels of VEGF and EG-VEGF were significantly lower in HNC patients, while receptors were upregulated in OSCC tissue, suggesting a complex relationship between these factors and the limited metastasis seen in HNC.
Article Synopsis
- Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy condition that occurs due to improper trophoblast cell invasion affecting blood circulation between the mother and fetus.
- CK2, an enzyme involved in cellular processes, was found to be more active during early pregnancy and its inhibition negatively impacted trophoblast cell functions essential for healthy development.
- The study observed that CK2 activity increases in placentas from PE patients and in PE mouse models, suggesting its role in supporting feto-maternal circulation, potentially indicating a compensatory response to the challenges in PE.
Article Synopsis
- Fertility disorders linked to autoimmune diseases are recognized, but the role of humoral serum autoimmunity in unexplained infertility is less understood.
- A study was conducted on patients with infertility, dividing them into two groups based on the presence of serum autoimmunity, with significant findings in each group.
- Results showed that 33% of patients exhibited autoimmunity, with those in the AI+ group experiencing higher pregnancy rates during immunomodulatory therapy compared to the AI- group, suggesting potential benefits of this treatment approach.
Article Synopsis
- Preeclampsia affects 2-8% of pregnancies globally and is a significant cause of maternal and fetal health issues, prompting a study focused on its incidence and risk factors in Casablanca.
- The research analyzed 401 cases from a local maternity hospital over 2010-2011, revealing a 7.1% incidence rate, with many affected being first-time mothers around the age of 30 and lacking adequate prenatal care.
- Key risk factors identified included obesity and chronic hypertension, while low gestational age and absence of prenatal care were linked to poorer health outcomes for mothers and babies; improved prenatal care could help lower preeclampsia rates.
Article Synopsis
- - PROK1 levels in individual follicular fluid (FF) have been identified as a promising biomarker to predict the competence of oocytes in IVF, with a strong correlation to follicular size.
- - A study conducted at the University Hospital of Grenoble with 69 infertile couples confirmed that higher PROK1 concentrations in FF are indicative of better embryo development potential, independent of other embryo growth indicators.
- - The research suggests that hormones like Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and hCG can enhance PROK1 secretion, potentially affecting oocyte quality through biological pathways linked to cAMP.