Publications by authors named "Aviva Katzav"

The selenoenzyme type I iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO1) catalyzes removal of iodine atoms from thyroid hormones. Although DIO1 action is reported to be disturbed in several malignancies, no work has been conducted in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), the most lethal gynecologic cancer. We studied DIO1 expression in HGSOC patients [The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and tumor tissues], human cell lines (ES-2 and Kuramochi), normal Chinese hamster ovarian cells (CHO-K1), and normal human fallopian tube cells (FT282 and FT109).

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Introduction: Transitioning from glass slide pathology to digital pathology for primary diagnostics requires an appropriate laboratory information system, an image management system, and slide scanners; it also reinforces the need for sophisticated pathology informatics including synoptic reporting. Previous reports have discussed the transition itself and relevant considerations for it, but not the selection criteria and considerations for the infrastructure.

Objective: To describe the process used to evaluate slide scanners, image management systems, and synoptic reporting systems for a large multisite institution.

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NF-Kappa B has a significant role in inflammatory processes as well as in colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of NF-kappa B in colonic adenocarcinoma specimen, colonic adenomas and inflammatory colonic tissues. Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), colonic adenomas and inflammatory processes undergoing surgery were recruited.

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The enzyme iodothyronine deiodinase type 3 (DIO3) contributes to cancer proliferation by inactivating the tumor-suppressive actions of thyroid hormone (T3). We recently established DIO3 involvement in the progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Here we provide a link between high DIO3 expression and lower survival in patients, similar to common disease markers such as Ki67, PAX8, CA-125, and CCNE1.

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Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia. The thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, bind the αvβ3 integrin and activate phosphorylates ERK (pERK). These tumor-promoting actions were reported in a number of malignancies, but not in CLL.

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High grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy with a need for better understanding the disease pathogenesis. The biologically active thyroid hormone, T3, is considered a tumor suppressor by promoting cell differentiation and mitochondrial respiration. Tumors evolved a strategy to avoid these anticancer actions by expressing the T3 catabolizing enzyme, Deiodinase type 3 (DIO3).

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Background: Emerging evidence demonstrates the involvement of Janus tyrosine kinase/signal transducer and transcription activator (JAK/STAT) proteins in the pathophysiology of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The JAK/STAT pathway is involved in the inflammatory response and endothelial cell dysfunction observed in DKD. The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog liraglutide is an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes because it improves the inflammatory changes observed in experimental models of DKD.

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Article Synopsis
  • Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease that can cause blood clots and cognitive dysfunctions, often without visible brain damage.
  • In a study using mice with induced APS, researchers found a significant decrease in cell proliferation in a specific area of the brain (hippocampus), which may relate to cognitive impairments.
  • Despite reduced cell growth, the overall structure of white matter remained unchanged, suggesting that while neurogenesis is affected, the integrity of white matter might not be impacted in APS.
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Minimal traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is partially defined by the existence of retrograde amnesia and is associated with microscopic bleeds containing activated coagulation factors. In a previous study, we have found that mTBI immediately releases thrombin-like activity in the brain, which induces amnesia by activating protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) and blocking long-term potentiation (LTP). In the present study, we assessed the effects of mTBI on thrombin and PAR-1 levels in the brain using the same model.

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Aims: The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by high titres of auto-antibodies (aPL) leading to thrombosis and consequent infarcts. However, many affected patients develop neurological symptoms in the absence of stroke. Similarly, in a mouse model of this disease (eAPS), animals consistently develop behavioural abnormalities despite lack of ischemic brain injury.

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Mice immunized with β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) are an experimental model of the antiphospholipid syndrome (eAPS) displaying elevated titers of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). We presently studied whether the behavioral hyperactivity in eAPS mice is associated with in vivo binding and accumulation of IgG in the brain. At 6 weeks post immunization eAPS mice had significantly higher levels of aPL (1.

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Hepatitis-B vaccine (HBVv) can prevent HBV-infection and associated liver diseases. However, concerns regarding its safety, particularly among patients with autoimmune diseases (i.e.

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This study compares the effects of human antiphospholipid (aPL) and anti-P-ribosomal (anti-P) IgG and control IgG on the brain. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injected aPL mice (exAPS) displayed specific hyperactivity compared to anti-P-injected (exSLE) and control mice. In contrast ICV injected anti-P-injected mice specifically displayed depression-like behavior and olfactory impairment compared to the other 2 groups.

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Experimental antiphospholipid syndrome (eAPS) in Balb/c mice causes neuropsychiatric abnormalities including hyperactivity, increased explorative behavior and cognitive deficits. Recently, we have demonstrated that these behavioral changes were linked to an upregulation of serotonergic 5-HT1A receptor binding densities in cortical and hippocampal regions while excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors remain largely unchanged. To examine whether the observed behavioral features depend on a critical antibody concentration, mice with only moderately enhanced antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), about 50-80% of high levels, were analyzed and compared to controls.

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Thrombin, a central factor in thrombogenesis, affects cells in the brain through protease activated receptors. Low levels of thrombin activity are neuroprotective while higher levels are deleterious, and we have therefore developed a new method for its direct quantitative measurement in brain slices following stroke. Thrombin activity was measured by a fluorescent substrate on fresh coronal slices taken from the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres 24-72 h following permanent right middle cerebral artery occlusion.

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Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy (a sudden weakening of posture muscle tone usually triggered by emotion) caused by the loss of orexin neurons in the hypothalamus. Autoimmune mechanisms are implicated in narcolepsy by increased frequency of specific HLA alleles and the presence of specific autoantibody (anti-Tribbles homolog 2 (TRIB2) antibodies) in the sera of patients with narcolepsy. Presently, we passively transferred narcolepsy to naïve mice by injecting intra-cerebra-ventricularly (ICV) pooled IgG positive for anti-TRIB2 antibodies.

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Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) serves as an animal model for human Gullain-Barre syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune disease causing demyelination and inflammation of peripheral nerves. Macrophages, which play a major role in this autoimmune inflammatory process, can be selectively targeted by high doses of bisphophonates. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of the bisphosphonate, clodronate, on the severity of the EAN model.

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Background: We investigated interactions between genetically and autoimmune-mediated coagulopathies by inducing experimental antiphospholipid syndrome (eAPS) in mice carrying the factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation.

Methods: eAPS was induced in heterozygous and homozygous FVL transgenic mice (C57BL/6 background) by immunization with β(2)-glycoprotein I (β(2)-GPI). Autoantibody levels were measured at 1 and 5 months post-immunization.

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Background: The 16/6-idiotype (16/6-Id) of the human anti-DNA antibody was found to induce experimental lupus in naïve mice, manifested by production of autoantibodies, leukopenia and elevated inflammatory markers, as well as kidney and brain involvement. We assessed behavior and brain pathology of naive mice injected intra-cerebra-ventricularly (ICV) with the 16/6-Id antibody.

Methods: C3H female mice were injected ICV to the right hemisphere with the human 16/6-Id antibody or commercial human IgG antibodies (control).

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Excessive influx of immunoglobulin (IgG) into the brain has been reported to induce central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. Depressed patients may exhibit immune activation manifested by elevated inflammatory markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The brain and especially the limbic system contain high concentrations of high affinity Fc receptors.

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The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease where the presence of high titers of circulating autoantibodies causes thrombosis with consecutive infarcts. In experimental APS (eAPS), a mouse model of APS, behavioral abnormalities develop in the absence of vessel occlusion or infarcts. Using brain hemispheres of control and eAPS mice with documented neurological and cognitive deficits, we checked for lymphocytic infiltration, activation of glia and macrophages, as well as alterations of ligand binding densities of various neurotransmitter receptors to unravel the molecular basis of this abnormal behavior.

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Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by thromboses and neuropsychiatric manifestations possibly linked to brain inflammation. In order to examine the levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in experimental APS (eAPS) mice brains, we measured the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10 in brain homogenates (cytosolic fractions) and in brain slices (secreted level) at 6, 15, and 24 weeks after immunization. We induced eAPS by immunization of Balb/c mice with β(2)-glycoprotein I (β(2)GPI), the major autoantigen in the disease and controls with adjuvant alone.

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Glatiramer acetate (GA) significantly ameliorates multiple sclerosis and was initially discovered through its effects on the animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a relatively common demyelinating disease of peripheral nerves for which there is a parallel animal model, experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN). We review the treatments found useful in EAN with special emphasis on the need for quick onset of action and the relevance of treatments used for EAE and multiple sclerosis.

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