Lancet
-
The benefit of statins in the prevention of cardiovascular disease is well founded, derived from their lipid lowering and pleiotropic effects. The concept of lipoproteins as lipid transporters has evolved to encompass functions in coagulation, inflammation, and redox reactions due to their unique protein cargo. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of statin therapy on lipoproteins and their protein cargo by use of an unbiased bottom-up proteomics approach in people with hypercholesterolaemia. ⋯ British Heart Foundation.
-
Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) account for substantial morbidity and mortality because of their potential for metastasis. SCCs are surrounded by an immune cell infiltrate containing regulatory T cells (Tregs). The aim of this study was to characterise Tregs in SCCs and investigate whether increased Treg numbers in primary skin SCCs are associated with subsequent metastasis. ⋯ Wellcome Trust, National Institute for Health Research.
-
Background GRIN2A encodes the GluN2A subunit of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR), an ionotropic glutamate receptor that has important roles in synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Some individuals with early onset epilepsies and intellectual disability carry heterozygous missense mutations in this gene, including a de-novo mutation in the receptor pore region (GluN2A(N615K)). We hypothesised that this mutation underlies the carrier's brain disorder and sought to explore its functional consequences. ⋯ Wellcome Trust via an Edinburgh Clinical Academic Training PhD Fellowship.
-
Nearly all anti-tumour antibodies are of a single class-namely, IgG. Efficacy might be improved by development of tumour-specific IgE antibodies, which have higher affinities for effector cell receptors and perform potent immune functions. MOv18IgE, which targets folate receptor α (FRα), is a novel system to model this hypothesis. Human chimeric MOv18 IgE has shown superior efficacy in two murine xenograft models compared with MOv18 IgG1. Our aim was to examine the potential of this antibody class to activate monocytes. ⋯ Academy of Medical Sciences Starter Grant, Cancer Research UK New Agents Committee Grant.
-
Increased expression of antimicrobial peptides including human beta defensins (HBD) has been reported in the amniotic fluid and vaginal secretions of women who deliver preterm. We have previously shown that these women have increased first trimester serum HBD2. The gene encoding HBD2, DEFB4A, is part of a defensin beta (DEFB) cluster on chromosome 8 that is variable in copy number. Increased serum HBD2 is associated with increased DEFB copy number. We aimed to test the hypothesis that variation in DEFB copy number is associated with preterm birth. ⋯ Wellcome Trust, Wellbeing of Women.