The rockefeller university

The fire antSolenopsis invictaexists in two alternate social forms: monogyne nests contain a single reproductive queen and polygyne nests contain multiple reproductive queens. This colony-level social polymorphism corresponds with individual differences in queen physiology, queen dispersal patterns and worker discrimination behaviours, all evidently regulated by an inversion-based supergene that spans more than 13 Mb of a "social chromosome," contains over 400 protein-coding genes and rarely undergoes recombination. The specific mechanisms by which this supergene influences expression of the many distinctive features that characterize the alternate forms remain almost wholly unknown. To advance our understanding of these mechanisms, we explore the effects of social chromosome genotype and natal colony social form on gene expression in queens sampled as they embarked on nuptial flights, using RNA-sequencing of brains and ovaries. We observe a large effect of natal social form, that is, of the social/developmental environment, on gene expression profiles, with similarly substantial effects of genotype, including: (a) supergene-associated gene upregulation, (b) allele-specific expression and (c) pronounced extra-supergenetrans-regulatory effects. These findings, along with observed spatial variation in differential and allele-specific expression within the supergene region, highlight the complex gene regulatory landscape that emerged following divergence of the inversion-mediatedSbhaplotype from its homologue, which presumably largely retained the ancestral gene order. The distinctive supergene-associated gene expression trajectories we document at the onset of a queen's reproductive life expand the known record of relevant molecular correlates of a complex social polymorphism and point to putative genetic factors underpinning the alternate social syndromes.

Humans with inherited defects inDOCK8expression are prone to allergic, type 2 CD4(+)T cell responses. Mandl and colleagues reveal an important role for cell death in driving such type 2 signals during infection. Mutations that impact immune cell migration and result in immune deficiency illustrate the importance of cell movement in host defense. In humans, loss-of-function mutations inDOCK8, a guanine exchange factor involved in hematopoietic cell migration, lead to immunodeficiency and, paradoxically, allergic disease. Here, we demonstrate that, like humans,Dock8(-/-)mice have a profound type 2 CD4(+)helper T (T(H)2) cell bias upon pulmonary infection withCryptococcus neoformansand other non-T(H)2 stimuli. We found that recruitedDock8(-/-)CX3CR1(+)mononuclear phagocytes are exquisitely sensitive to migration-induced cell shattering, releasing interleukin (IL)-1 beta that drives granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) production by CD4(+)T cells. Blocking IL-1 beta, GM-CSF or caspase activation eliminated the type-2 skew in mice lackingDock8. Notably, treatment of infected wild-type mice with apoptotic cells significantly increased GM-CSF production and T(H)2 cell differentiation. This reveals an important role for cell death in driving type 2 signals during infection, which may have implications for understanding the etiology of type 2 CD4(+)T cell responses in allergic disease.

Whole-exome sequencing of 250 parent-offspring trios identifies an enrichment of rare damaging de novo mutations in individuals with cerebral palsy and implicates genetically mediated dysregulation of early neuronal connectivity in the etiology of this disorder. In addition to commonly associated environmental factors, genomic factors may cause cerebral palsy. We performed whole-exome sequencing of 250 parent-offspring trios, and observed enrichment of damaging de novo mutations in cerebral palsy cases. Eight genes had multiple damaging de novo mutations; of these, two (TUBA1AandCTNNB1) met genome-wide significance. We identified two novel monogenic etiologies,FBXO31andRHOB, and showed that theRHOBmutation enhances active-state Rho effector binding while theFBXO31mutation diminishes cyclin D levels. Candidate cerebral palsy risk genes overlapped with neurodevelopmental disorder genes. Network analyses identified enrichment of Rho GTPase, extracellular matrix, focal adhesion and cytoskeleton pathways. Cerebral palsy risk genes in enriched pathways were shown to regulate neuromotor function in aDrosophilareverse genetics screen. We estimate that 14% of cases could be attributed to an excess of damaging de novo or recessive variants. These findings provide evidence for genetically mediated dysregulation of early neuronal connectivity in cerebral palsy.

Interferon (IFN)-alpha has been used for several decades for the treatment of myelofibrosis, with conflicting results. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 studies with 141 patients, we found that IFN led to hematologic improvements in 49% of patients. Background: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, increased risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia, and constitutional symptoms. For over 3 decades, various formulations of interferon (IFN) have been used for the treatment of MF, with variable results, and the role of IFN in the treatment of MF is evolving. Patients and Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, Medline and Embase via Ovid, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science were searched from inception through March 2019 for studies of pegylated IFN (pegIFN) and nonepeg-IFN in MF patients. The primary outcome of overall response rate was defined as a composite of complete response, partial response, complete hematologic response, and partial hematologic response. Randomeffects models were used to pool overall response rate, and metaregression analyses were performed to compare peg-IFN and non-epeg-IFN formulations. Results: Among the 10 studies with 141 MF patients included, the overall response rate was 49.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.4-69.3), and there was no statistically significant difference (P=.99) between peg-IFN (50.0%; 95% CI, 26.2-73.9; I-2 = 76.9%) and non-peg-IFN (49.6%; 95% CI, 20.5-79.0; I-2 = 56.7%). Treatment discontinuation resulting from adverse events was common with non-peg-IFN at 35.8% (95% CI, 3.5-68.1) per year, and less in the one study on peg-IFN (0.5% per year). Conclusion: IFN can lead to hematologic improvements in a subset of MF patients, but study quality is limited and heterogenous. Biomarkers predicting response to IFN and formulations with improved tolerability are needed.

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) has been described as a mechanism that contributes to the pathogenesis of dengue virus infection. Limited evidence also suggests that it can also occur in other viral infections. Here, the authors explore the history of the ADE phenomenon, discuss the diversity of Fc effector functions and consider its potential relevance in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is a mechanism by which the pathogenesis of certain viral infections is enhanced in the presence of sub-neutralizing or cross-reactive non-neutralizing antiviral antibodies. In vitro modelling of ADE has attributed enhanced pathogenesis to Fc gamma receptor (Fc gamma R)-mediated viral entry, rather than canonical viral receptor-mediated entry. However, the putative Fc gamma R-dependent mechanisms of ADE overlap with the role of these receptors in mediating antiviral protection in various viral infections, necessitating a detailed understanding of how this diverse family of receptors functions in protection and pathogenesis. Here, we discuss the diversity of immune responses mediated upon Fc gamma R engagement and review the available experimental evidence supporting the role of Fc gamma Rs in antiviral protection and pathogenesis through ADE. We explore Fc gamma R engagement in the context of a range of different viral infections, including dengue virus and SARS-CoV, and consider ADE in the context of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Protein synthesis is required in distinct populations of inhibitory neurons in the mouse amygdala to store memories of danger and safety. To survive in a dynamic environment, animals need to identify and appropriately respond to stimuli that signal danger(1). Survival also depends on suppressing the threat-response during a stimulus that predicts the absence of threat (safety)(2-5). An understanding of the biological substrates of emotional memories during a task in which animals learn to flexibly execute defensive responses to a threat-predictive cue and a safety cue is critical for developing treatments for memory disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder(5). The centrolateral amygdala is an important node in the neuronal circuit that mediates defensive responses(6-9), and a key brain area for processing and storing threat memories. Here we applied intersectional chemogenetic strategies to inhibitory neurons in the centrolateral amygdala of mice to block cell-type-specific translation programs that are sensitive to depletion of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (p-eIF2 alpha). We show that de novo translation in somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neurons in the centrolateral amygdala is necessary for the long-term storage of conditioned-threat responses, whereas de novo translation in protein kinase C delta-expressing inhibitory neurons in the centrolateral amygdala is necessary for the inhibition of a conditioned response to a safety cue. Our results provide insight into the role of de novo protein synthesis in distinct inhibitory neuron populations in the centrolateral amygdala during the consolidation of long-term memories.

Background The association of adalimumab therapy with malignancy and infection is established in other inflammatory diseases; however, rates of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are based on case reports or retrospective healthcare data and the effect of adalimumab therapy on these rates is unknown. Previously reported rates in the PIONEER OLE Phase 3 study reported on rates only in a subpopulation of 88 participants rather than the entire cohort. Aim To quantify rates of malignancy and serious infection in all patients with HS treated with adalimumab 40 mg weekly. Methods Reanalysis was undertaken of individual patient data from the PIONEER 1, PIONEER 2 and PIONEER open-label extension Phase 3 trial data encompassing 591 unique patients with HS administered adalimumab 40 mg weekly without concurrent antibiotic exposure. Incidence rates of serious infection and malignancy were calculated. Results Incidence rates of serious infection and malignancy were 2.14 and 0.46 per 100 patient-years, respectively. Rates of infection and malignancy were comparable to those in other inflammatory conditions examined. Conclusion Incidence of serious infection in patients with HS on adalimumab is comparable to those with psoriasis and inflammatory arthropathies, but the incidence of malignancy is increased. This may reflect disease-specific malignancy risk rather than an effect of adalimumab.

Purpose: I-124-PU-H71 is an investigational first-in-class radiologic agent specific for imaging tumor epichaperome formations. The intracellular epichaperome forms under cellular stress and is a clinically validated oncotherapeutic target. We conducted a first-inhuman study of microdose I-124-PU-H71 for PET to study in vivo biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and safety; and the feasibility of epichaperome-targeted tumor imaging. Experimental Design: Adult patients with cancer (n = 30) received I-124-PU-H71 tracer (201 + 12 MBq, <25 mu g) intravenous bolus followed by PET/CT scans and blood radioassays. Results: I-124-PU-H71 PET detected tumors of different cancer types (breast, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, genitourinary, gynecologic, sarcoma, and pancreas). I-124-PU-H71 was retained by tumors for several days while it cleared rapidly from bones, healthy soft tissues, and blood. Radiation dosimetry is favorable and patients suffered no adverse effects. Conclusions: Our first-in-human results demonstrate the safety and feasibility of noninvasive in vivo detection of tumor epichaperomes using I-124-PU-H71 PET, supporting clinical development of PU-H71 and other epichaperome-targeted therapeutics.

An important aspect of disease gene mapping is replication, that is, a putative finding in one group of individuals is confirmed in another set of individuals. As it can happen by chance that individuals share an estimated disease position, we developed a statistical approach to determine thep-value for multiple individuals or families to share a possibly small number of candidate susceptibility variants. Here, we focus on candidate variants for dominant traits that have been obtained by our previously developed heterozygosity analysis, and we are testing the sharing of candidate variants obtained for different individuals. Our approach allows for multiple pathogenic variants in a gene to contribute to disease, and for estimated disease variant positions to be imprecise. Statistically, the method developed here falls into the category of equivalence testing, where the classical null and alternative hypotheses of homogeneity and heterogeneity are reversed. The null hypothesis situation is created by permuting genomic locations of variants for one individual after another. We applied our methodology to the ALSPAC data set of 1,927 whole-genome sequenced individuals, where some individuals carry a pathogenic variant for the BRCA1 gene, but no two individuals carry the same variant. Our shared genomic segment analysis found significant evidence for BRCA1 pathogenic variants within +/- 5 kb of a given DNA variant.