Interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphisms in celiac patients from north-eastern Italy

Celiac disease is a complex chronic intestinal disorder driven by an immune response against the gliadin fraction of gluten: many factors are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, and among these Interleukin-10 could play an important role. In the present study, the −1082A>G, −819T>C and −592A>C IL10 functional polymorphisms were analyzed in 565 celiac patients and 576 healthy controls from north-eastern Italy, stratified for HLA class II celiac disease risk haplotypes. No significant differences were observed for the three IL10 polymorphisms distribution between celiac patients and controls with the exception of a slightly increased risk for the −1082A allele in HLA-DQ8 male individuals. Although our findings suggest that the IL10 genetic variants analyzed do not have a major role in the susceptibility to the development of celiac disease in north-eastern Italian patients, we think that the possible involvement of IL10 gene in CD should deserve further investigation and that large-scale studies are recommended to confirm our findings.     

Non-classical MHC-I human leukocyte antigen (HLA-G) in hepatotropic viral infections and in hepatocellular carcinoma

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a “nonclassical” major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ib gene, located at chromosome 6, in the 6p21.3 region.     

Dietary Habits of a Group of Children with Crohn’s Disease Compared to Healthy Subjects: Assessment of Risk of Nutritional Deficiencies through a Bromatological Analysis

Diet is a matter of interest in the pathogenesis and management of Crohn’s Disease (CD). Little is known about CD children’s dietary habits. Our aim was assessing the quality and the amount of nutrient intake in a group of CD pediatric patients. Data were compared with those of healthy subjects (HS). In total, 20 patients (13 males) and 48 HS (24 males) aged 4–18 years were provided with a food diary to fill out for one week. Winfood software performed the bromatological analysis, providing data about intakes of proteins and amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, cholesterol, fibers, minerals, vitamins, and polyphenols. Estimates of the antioxidant activity of foods and of the dietetic protein load were also calculated. The diet of CD patients was poorer in fibers, polyphenols, vitamin A, beta-carotene, and fatty acids, and richer in animal proteins, vitamin B12, and niacin. PRAL was higher in CD patients’ diets, while ORAC was higher in HS. No significant differences were observed in carbohydrate and other macro- and micronutrient consumptions. CD dietary habits seem to reflect the so-called Western diet, possibly involved in CD pathogenesis. Furthermore, analysis of dietary habits allows for prevention of nutritional deficiencies and timely correction through education and supplementation.     

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Neonates Born to Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection (MIS-N) and in Neonates and Infants Younger Than 6 Months with Acquired COVID-19 (MIS-C): A Systematic Review

(1) Introduction: There is an increasing literature describing neonates born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection (MIS-N) and infants infected with SARS-CoV-2 who presented with a severe disease (MIS-C). (2) Methods: To investigate clinical features of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates and infants under six months of age, we used a systematic search to retrieve all relevant publications in the field. We screened in PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus for data published until 10 October 2021. (3) Results: Forty-eight articles were considered, including 29 case reports, six case series and 13 cohort studies. Regarding clinical features, only 18.2% of MIS-N neonates presented with fever; differently from older children with MIS-C, in which gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common manifestation, we displayed that cardiovascular dysfunction and respiratory distress are the prevalent findings both in neonates with MIS-N and in neonates/infants with MIS-C. (4) Conclusions: We suggest that all infants with suspected inflammatory disease should undergo echocardiography, due to the possibility of myocardial dysfunction and damage to the coronary arteries observed both in neonates with MIS-N and in neonates/infants with MIS-C. Moreover, we also summarize how they were treated and provide a therapeutic algorithm to suggest best management of these fragile infants.     

Association of cerebral small vessel disease burden with brain structure and cognitive and vascular risk trajectories in mid-to-late life

We characterize the associations of total cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) burden with brain structure, trajectories of vascular risk factors, and cognitive functions in mid-to-late life. Participants were 623 community-dwelling adults from the Whitehall II Imaging Sub-study with multi-modal MRI (mean age 69.96, SD = 5.18, 79% men). We used linear mixed-effects models to investigate associations of SVD burden with up to 25-year retrospective trajectories of vascular risk and cognitive performance. General linear modelling was used to investigate concurrent associations with grey matter (GM) density and white matter (WM) microstructure, and whether these associations were modified by cognitive status (Montreal Cognitive Asessment [MoCA] scores of < 26 vs. ≥ 26). Severe SVD burden in older age was associated with higher mean arterial pressure throughout midlife (β = 3.36, 95% CI [0.42-6.30]), and faster cognitive decline in letter fluency (β = −0.07, 95% CI [−0.13–−0.01]), and verbal reasoning (β = −0.05, 95% CI [−0.11–−0.001]). Moreover, SVD burden was related to lower GM volumes in 9.7% of total GM, and widespread WM microstructural decline (FWE-corrected p < 0.05). The latter association was most pronounced in individuals who demonstrated cognitive impairments on MoCA (MoCA < 26; F_3,608 = 2.14, p = 0.007). These findings highlight the importance of managing midlife vascular health to preserve brain structure and cognitive function in old age.     

Absence of NK1 receptors in human blood lymphocytes and granulocytes

Substance P is a peptide that exerts its activity through the interaction with specific receptors that are distributed in different brain areas. Given the potential of NK1 receptor antagonists as antidepressants, the availability of a peripheral model of NK1 receptors would be particularly relevant for the possibility to perform studies in samples of patients. Therefore, with the present study we aimed to explore the possible existence of NK1 receptors by means of [3H]SR140333 and [125I]BHSP that behave as, respectively, antagonist and agonist, at this level, in human blood lymphocytes and granulocytes of healthy donors. The results of the present study failed to detect the presence of a high-affinity and saturable binding of [3H]SR140333 and [125I]BHSP in human blood cells, whereas a specific binding for both compounds was found in rat cerebral cortex that was used as the control tissue. These findings would question the presence of NK1 receptors in human circulating cells.     

Higher risk of hepatitis C virus perinatal transmission from drug user mothers is mediated by peripheral blood mononuclear cell infection

Maternal injection drug use and peripheral blood mononuclear cell infection by hepatitis C virus are important risk factors for perinatal transmission of the virus. The aim of present study was to evaluate the independent association of these two factors on perinatal transmission. Forty-eight consecutive mothers who transmitted infection to their offspring and 122 consecutive mothers who did not, together with their children, were examined. Both maternal injection drug use and peripheral blood mononuclear cell infection were significantly more frequent in infected than in uninfected children (respectively P = 0.04; odds ratio 2.33, 95% confidence intervals 1.02-5.42 and P < 10(-6); odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals not calculable due to zero values). Multivariate analysis confirmed the link between maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cell infection and perinatal transmission (P < 10(-6); odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals not calculable due to zero values) but no association was found with maternal injection drug use. The high risk of perinatal transmission found in injection drug use mothers is dependent on maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cell infection by hepatitis C virus. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell infection represents one of the most important risk factors for hepatitis C virus perinatal transmission.     

Role of DC-SIGN and L-SIGN receptors in HIV-1 vertical transmission

The innate immune system acts in the first line of host defense against pathogens. One of the mechanisms used involves the early recognition and uptake of microbes by host professional phagocytes, through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). These PRRs bind to conserved microbial ligands expressed by pathogens and initiate both innate and adaptative immune responses. Some PRRs located on the surface of dendritic cells (DCs) and other cells seem to play an important role in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission. Dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3 grabbing non-integrin, CD209 (DC-SIGN) and its homolog, DC-SIGN-related (DC-SIGNR or L-SIGN) receptors are PPRs able to bind the HIV-1 gp120 envelope protein and, because alterations in their expression patterns also occur, they might play a role in both horizontal and vertical transmission as well as in disseminating the virus within the host. This review aims to explore the involvement of the DC-SIGN and L-SIGN receptors in HIV-1 transmission from mother to child.