DExD-box RNA proteins DDX39A and DDX39B are highly homologous paralogs that are conserved in vertebrates. They are required for energy-driven reactions involved in RNA processing. Although we have some understanding of how their functions overlap in RNA nuclear export, our knowledge of whether or not these proteins have specific or redundant functions in RNA splicing is limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFForkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is the master fate-determining transcription factor in regulatory T (T) cells and is essential for their development, function, and homeostasis. Mutations in cause immunodysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy X-linked (IPEX) syndrome, and aberrant expression of has been implicated in other diseases such as multiple sclerosis and cancer. We previously demonstrated that pre-mRNA splicing of RNAs is highly sensitive to levels of DExD-box polypeptide 39B (DDX39B), and here we investigate the mechanism of this sensitivity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is a growing global health concern. Recent advances have demonstrated significant reductions in acute cardiovascular events through the management of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. However, these factors are responsible for about 50% of the global cardiovascular disease burden.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlternative RNA splicing, a ubiquitous mechanism of gene regulation in eukaryotes, expands genome coding capacity and proteomic diversity. It has essential roles in all aspects of human physiology, including immunity. This review highlights the importance of RNA alternative splicing in regulating immune T cell function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA 66-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting as well as low-grade fever. She was initially treated with ciprofloxacin and metronidazole with symptomatic improvement and was discharged. One week later, she returned to the emergency department for gait instability, dizziness, and vomiting and had a witnessed generalized tonic-clonic seizure in the hospital.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA 41-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Department with bilateral numbness in lower extremities and left femoral palsy. He also reported constitutional symptoms, vomiting and non-bloody diarrhoea for the last several months. He had a previous history of eosinophilic asthma with erratic follow-up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOver the last decade, our understanding of spliceosome structure and function has significantly improved, refining the study of the impact of dysregulated splicing on human disease. As a result, targeted splicing therapeutics have been developed, treating various diseases including spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These advancements are very promising and emphasize the critical role of proper splicing in maintaining human health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenes associated with increased susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) have been identified, but their functions are incompletely understood. One of these genes codes for the RNA helicase DExD/H-Box Polypeptide 39B (DDX39B), which shows genetic and functional epistasis with interleukin-7 receptor-α gene () in MS-risk. Based on evolutionary and functional arguments, we postulated that DDX39B enhances immune tolerance thereby decreasing MS risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMosquito transmission of dengue viruses to humans starts with infection of skin resident cells at the biting site. There is great interest in identifying transmission-enhancing factors in mosquito saliva in order to counteract them. Here we report the discovery of high levels of the anti-immune subgenomic flaviviral RNA (sfRNA) in dengue virus 2-infected mosquito saliva.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Recent simple dental extraction protocols suggest that therapeutic levels of the anticoagulant drug should be maintained because bleeding complications could be managed with local haemostasis manoeuvres. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between bleeding complications and the international normalized ratio (INR) values in patients after dental extractions completed with a plug of bismuth subgallate, without interrupting anticoagulant administration.
Materials And Methods: Patients undergoing oral Vitamin K antagonist chronic anticoagulant therapy requiring simple dental extractions were included in the study.
It is evident that viral infection dramatically alters host gene expression, and these alterations have both pro- and anti-viral functions. While the effects of viral infection on transcription and translation have been comprehensively reviewed, less attention has been paid to the impact on alternative splicing of pre-messenger RNAs. Here we review salient examples of how viral infection leads to changes in alternative splicing and discuss how these changes impact infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRNA viruses are likely to cause future pandemics and therefore we must create and organize a deep knowledge of these viruses to prevent and manage this risk. Assuming prevention will fail, at least once, we must be prepared to manage a future pandemic using all resources available. We emphasize the importance of having safe vaccine candidates and safe broad-spectrum antivirals ready for rapid clinical translation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Probl Cardiol
November 2022
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe stroke with a high death rate (40% mortality). The prevalence of hemorrhagic stroke has increased globally, with changes in the underlying cause over time as anticoagulant use and hypertension treatment have improved. The fundamental etiology of ICH and the mechanisms of harm from ICH, particularly the complex interaction between edema, inflammation, and blood product toxicity, have been thoroughly revised by the American Heart Association (AHA) in 2022.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe interleukin 7 receptor () is strongly associated with increased risk to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, and this association is likely driven by up-regulation of the soluble isoform of IL7R (sIL7R). Expression of sIL7R is determined by exclusion of the alternative exon 6 from IL7R transcripts, and our previous work revealed that the MS risk allele of the SNP rs6897932 within this exon enhances the expression of sIL7R by promoting exclusion of exon 6. sIL7R potentiates the activity of IL7, leading to enhanced expansion of T cells and increased disability in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) murine model of MS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfection with dengue virus (DENV) induces vast rearrangements of the endoplasmic reticulum, which allows the compartmentalization of viral RNA replication and particle assembly. Both processes occur in concert with viral and cellular proteins. Prior studies from our group suggest that the host RNA-binding protein (RBP) Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) is required for a late step in the DENV replication cycle.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this retrospective study was to describe the etiology and characteristics of trigeminal nerve injuries referred to a specialized center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A retrospective analysis was performed of patients referred from February 2016 to January 2020. Age, sex, intervention performed, nerve affected, time elapsed from injury, diagnosis, location, and whether patient had signed informed consent were recorded.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFQuaking (QKI) controls RNA metabolism in many biological processes including innate immunity, where its roles remain incompletely understood. To illuminate these roles, we performed genome scale transcriptome profiling in QKI knockout cells with or without poly(I:C) transfection, a double-stranded RNA analog that mimics viral infection. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data shows that QKI knockout upregulates genes induced by interferons, suggesting that QKI is an immune suppressor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe importance of transcriptional regulation of host genes in innate immunity against viral infection has been widely recognized. More recently, post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms have gained appreciation as an additional and important layer of regulation to fine-tune host immune responses. Here, we review the functional significance of alternative splicing in innate immune responses to viral infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Venous thrombotic events (VTE) are frequent in COVID-19, and elevated plasma D-dimer (pDd) and dyspnea are common in both entities.
Objective: To determine the admission pDd cut-off value associated with in-hospital VTE in patients with COVID-19.
Methods: Multicenter, retrospective study analyzing the at-admission pDd cut-off value to predict VTE and anticoagulation intensity along hospitalization due to COVID-19.
Our main aim was to describe the effect on the severity of ACEI (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) and ARB (angiotensin II receptor blocker) during COVID-19 hospitalization. A retrospective, observational, multicenter study evaluating hospitalized patients with COVID-19 treated with ACEI/ARB. The primary endpoint was the incidence of the composite outcome of prognosis (IMV (invasive mechanical ventilation), NIMV (non-invasive mechanical ventilation), ICU admission (intensive care unit), and/or all-cause mortality).
View Article and Find Full Text PDF