Biomedical subjects

S Benvenga

Publications and source records attributed to S Benvenga.

96 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Homologies of the thyroid sodium-iodide symporter with bacterial and viral proteins.

We have demonstrated that Na+/I- symporter (NIS), a novel thyroid autoantigen, has local amino acid sequence homologies with the other thyroid autoantigens: Thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R). These homologies concern the 4th, 5th, 6th extracellular loop and the beginning of the intracellular tail. We have expanded our studies and found that there are significant local homologies with other 11 proteins, most of them of bacterial or viral origin (e.g., Streptococcus or Herpes). These homologies concern the 2nd and 4th extracellular loop, and both the beginning and the end of the intracellular tail. These 11 homologies were retrieved by a computer-assisted search and extracted out of a database containing almost 300,000 amino acid sequences. These homologies were of magnitude greater than those concerning the three thyroid autoantigens [identities=51.1+/-7.3% vs 25.3+/-7.8% (mean+/-SD), p<0.001; similarities=70.6+/-10.7% vs 43.3+/-8.5%; p<0.001]. In addition, extensive, not local, homology was found with a number of unknown proteins from invertebrates (Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans) and bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Xanthobacter. Previously, we had found that NIS has no extensive homology with Tg or TPO or TSH-R. This is the first demonstration of both extensive and local homologies between one thyroid autoantigen (NIS) and microbiological proteins. Taken together with data of the literature on the homologies between other thyroid antigens (Tg, TPO, TSH-R) and bacteria, the homologies we have now found reinforce the view that both bacterial and viral infections may trigger autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Extremely high levels of estradiol and testosterone in a case of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Hormone and clinical similarities with the phenotype of the alpha estrogen receptor null mice.

A 19-year-old nulliparous hirsute woman was evaluated for the very high serum levels of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) measured in an outside laboratory. Menarche had occurred at 11 years and was followed by regular menses. We confirmed the high levels of T (9-16 ng/ml, nv 0.2-0.8) and E2 (>1,000 pg/ml, nv 30-120). LH and FSH were consistently high (73-118 mU/l and 18-29 mU/l, respectively; LH/FSH ratio=4.1-4.7) and responsive to iv GnRH (LH baseline=118 mU/I, 30 min=290; FSH baseline=25 mU/l, 30 min=46). The unstimulated values contrasted with those (LH=12, FSH=8 mU/I) measured in the outside laboratory, suggesting antigenically anomalous gonadotropins. 17-OH-progesterone was normal (0.5 ng/ml). After 1 mg dexamethasone, serum cortisol was normally suppressed (24-->0.4 microg/dl), T declined minimally (9-->8.6 ng/ml) and E2 remained high (>1,000 pg/ml). An exploratory laparotomy was performed, and two enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts as in a typical polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) were seen. Before the wedge resection of the ovaries, hormones were assayed in the ovary veins (right ovary: T=30 ng/ml, Pg=17 ng/ml, E2=>5,000 pg/ml; left: T=14 ng/ml, Pg=14 ng/ml, E2=>5,000 pg/ml). Histologically, the follicle cysts showed luteinization of the theca interna; there was no evidence for ovary tumor in either ovary. After 21 days of 35 microg ethynyl-E2+2 mg cyproterone acetate (CA), E2=3,000 pg/ml, T=1.4 ng/ml, LH=10.5 mU/l and FSH=4.1 mU/I. After three cycles of the said therapy (but with 50 mg CA in the first 10 days of each cycle), E2 was 1,600 pg/ml, T 1.7 ng/ml, LH 7.1 and FSH 4.6 mU/I. Based on similarities with the phenotype of the alpha estrogen receptor knockout female mice (alphaERKO), one possible explanation for the puzzling clinical and biochemical picture of our patient is resistance of (alphaER to estrogens. This is the first case of PCOS with extremely high E2 and T. Thus, the differential diagnosis of high levels of E2 +/- T should include PCOS.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A quantitative assessment of depression and thyroid dysfunction secondary to interferon-alpha therapy in patients with hepatitis C.

The most effective treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is interferon-alpha (IFN) therapy in combination with ribavirin. Although symptoms of depression are among the most common side effects of IFN therapy in treating patients with HCV, the mechanisms by which IFN produces these neuropsychiatric side effects remain unclear. In the brain, IFNs are involved in a number of regulatory functions, including but not limited to regulation of the endocrine system via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and -thyroid axes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of IFN therapy on thyroid function and to characterize the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and major depressive disorder during IFN therapy in patients with hepatitis C. Thirty-three patients with HCV were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) Axis I Disorders (SCID) and completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Patients were on IFN for an average of 6 to 12 months depending on their viral genotype. Serum samples were collected at baseline, during and after IFN therapy, and measured for free thryoxine (FT4) and TSH levels. Patients who developed IFN-induced depression were treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants. Only one patient developed transient IFN-induced overt hypothyroidism, but he did not develop depression. Analysis of variance showed that there were no significant differences in either FT4 or TSH serum levels between patients who developed major depressive disorder (MDD) (no.= 10) during IFN therapy and those who did not (no.=23). These results illustrate the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms associated with IFN therapy and the apparent absence of a relationship between IFN-induced MDD and changes in thyroid function.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Helicobacter pylori and autoimmune pancreatitis: role of carbonic anhydrase via molecular mimicry?

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a recently defined nosological entity, which accounts for 4.6-6% of all forms of chronic pancreatitis and is often associated with other autoimmune diseases, particularly Sjogren's syndrome. Possession of the HLA DRB1*0405-DQB1*0401 genotype confers a risk for the development of autoimmune pancreatitis. Autoantibodies against carbonic anhydrase II and lactoferrin are frequently present in affected subjects and are suspected to have a pathogenic role. A link between gastric infection by Helicobacter pylori and autoimmune pancreatitis has been hypothesized. We used in silico protein analysis and search for HLA binding motifs to verify this hypothesis. We found a significant homology between human carbonic anhydrase II and alpha-carbonic anhydrase of Helicobacter pylori, an enzyme which is fundamental for the survival and proliferation of the bacterium in the gastric environment. Moreover, the homologous segments contain the binding motif of the HLA molecule DRB1*0405. Our data strengthen the hypothesis that gastric Helicobacter pylori infection can trigger autoimmune pancreatitis in genetically predisposed subjects.

Amino Acids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical expression of HGF, c-MET and transcription factor STAT3 in colorectal tumors.

By immunohistochemistry, we have investigated the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), HGF-R or c-met and the transcritor factor STAT3 in a series of 80 colorectal tumours (40 adenomas and 40 adenocarcinomas). The expression of HGF, c-met and STAT3 was revealed in 40/40 (100%) of adenomas and in 26/40 (65%) of adenocarcinomas; the remaining 14/40 (35%) carcinomas expressed c-met but failed to express HGF and STAT3. Positive immunoreaction score was defined through the number of stained cells: low (1-10%), moderate (11-50%) and high (>51%). In adenomas, the HGF immunoreaction was high in 33 (82.5%) and moderate in 7 (17.5%); the c-met staining was high in 3 (7.5%) and moderate in 37 (92.5%); and the STAT3 reactivity was high in 25 (62.5%) and moderate in 15(37.5%). In carcinomas, the HGF immunoreaction was moderate in 21 (80.7%) and low in 5 (19.2%); the c-met staining was high in 14 (35%), moderate in 25 (62.5) and low in 1 (2.5%); and the STAT3 reactivity was moderate in 17 (65.3%) and low in 9 (34.6%). In both type of lesions, HGF and c-met showed a membranous and cytoplasmic location. In adenomas, STAT3 was detected in cytoplasm and nucleus and in carcinomas it was limited to cytoplasm. While the HGF/c-met/STAT3 expression in adenomas was significantly different from carcinomas (c2 = 17, p < 0.0001), no correlation was found among HGF, c-met, or STAT3 immunostaining with histotype or degree of dysplasia in adenomas and the same for histotype, grading or staging in carcinomas. These features, suggesting a role of the HGF/c-met/STAT3 signal in colon tumorigenesis, indicate that a reduced expression of HGF and c-met is associated to progression of adenoma into carcinoma.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Radioimmunoassay for human thyroxine-binding prealbumin.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for human thyroxine-binding prealbumin (PA) is described. It employs highly purified PA, anti-human PA serum at 1:30,000 final dilution, normal bovine serum as a carrier, and polyethyleneglycol to precipitate the immune complexes. This assay is extremely sensitive (limit of detection less than 0.2 micrograms per dL or less than 3.6 X 10(-15) moles per tube), accurate (recovery = 98.7 +/- 9 percent, mean +/- S.D.) and reproducible (intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation = 3.6 to 6.3 percent and 7.2 to 9.5 percent, respectively). There was a highly significant correlation when the RIA was compared with radical immunodiffusion or with PA maximal binding capacity for thyroxine (r = 0.944 and r = 0.724, respectively, p less than 0.001). Concentration of PA in sera from normal subjects (age range = 20 to 88 years) averaged 27.7 +/- 0.5 mg per dL (mean +/- S.E.M.), with significantly higher values in males than in females in all age groups with the exception of the older subjects (20 to 50 years: males = 26.5 to 37 mg per dL; females = 23.1 to 33.8 mg per dL). Levels of PA progressively declined after the fifth decade of life. Pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, chronic liver diseases, cystic fibrosis, cancer and other non-thyroidal illnesses were associated with decreased levels of serum PA. Untreated hypothyroidism and chronic renal diseases showed widely scattered values of PA. Inherited thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) abnormalities and bisalbuminemia had no apparent effect on concentrations of serum PA.

Adult↗