Project description:Current techniques to diagnose and/or monitor critically ill neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) require invasive sampling of body fluids, which can affect the health status of these frail neonate. We tested our hypotheses 1) it is feasible to use early urine samples from extremely low gestational age newborns at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia for proteomics, and 2) urine proteomics can confirm previously identified proteins and biomarkers associated with BPD without invasive sample collection. We developed a robust high throughput urine proteomics methodology that requires only 50 microliters of urine. We validated the methodology on urine collected within 72 hours of birth. Urine samples were collected from extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANS) (gestational age (26 + 1.2) weeks) admitted to a single Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU); half of whom eventually developed BPD, while the other half served as controls. Our high throughput urine proteomics approach clearly identified several BPD-associated changes in the urine proteome recapitulating expected blood proteome changes. Interestingly, sixteen identified urinary proteins are known targets of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Urine proteomics can be used for prediction of BPD risk. In addition to identifying numerous proteins implicated in BPD pathophysiology, previously found in invasively collected blood, tracheal aspirate, and broncho-alveolar lavage, urine proteomics also suggested novel potential therapeutic targets. Ease of access to urine for sequential proteomic evaluations could also allow for longitudinal monitoring of disease progression and impact of therapeutic intervention.
Project description:These analyses set out to evaluate placental genomic and epigenomic signatures in newborns from the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) cohort. Genome-wide mRNA, microRNA, and DNA methylation profiles were obtained from placenta samples collected at birth. Analyses were conducted to better understand placental molecular signatures and relate these to placental, maternal, infant, and later-in-life health indices.
Project description:We report the correlation between lung-derived neonatal MSCs and 2 clinical variables among preterm newborns: corrected gestational age (CGA) at collection and the severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
Project description:These analyses set out to evaluate placental genomic and epigenomic signatures in newborns from the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) cohort. Genome-wide mRNA, microRNA, and DNA methylation profiles were obtained from placenta samples collected at birth. Analyses were conducted to better understand placental molecular signatures and relate these to placental, maternal, infant, and later-in-life health indices. Samples included in this GEO series reflect genome-wide mRNA and microRNA expression signatures.
Project description:We analyzed mRNA profiles in tracheal aspirates from 53 newborns receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Twenty-six infants were extremely preterm diagnosed with BPD and twenty-seven were term babies receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for elective procedure. Specific mRNA signatures in TAs may serve as potential biomarkers for extreme prematurity and BPD pathogenesis.
Project description:A prospective study was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the University Children's hospital between September 1, 2008 and November 30, 2010. The entry criteria were (1) preterm birth below 32 weeks gestational age, (2) birthweight<1500g (VLBW). During the follow-up period, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was diagnosed in 68 (61%) infants, including 40 (36%) children with mild disease, 13 (12%) with moderate and 15 (13%) with severe BPD. Forty-three babies served as a control group (no BPD). One hundred twenty newborns were included at the start of the study. Three blood samples (0.3 ml) were drawn from all the study participants for microarray assessment of gene expression profiles around the 5th, 14th and 28th days of life. Note that microarrays were not taken for all patients at all time points (A,B,C).
Project description:Transcription profiling by array of human newborns of different gestational ages with or without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BD) to study gestataional age as a potential predictor of BD
Project description:A prospective study was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the University Children's hospital between September 1, 2008 and November 30, 2010. The entry criteria were (1) preterm birth below 32 weeks gestational age, (2) birthweight<1500g (VLBW). During the follow-up period, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was diagnosed in 68 (61%) infants, including 40 (36%) children with mild disease, 13 (12%) with moderate and 15 (13%) with severe BPD. Forty-three babies served as a control group (no BPD).
Project description:Kynureninase is a member of a large family of catalytically diverse but structurally homologous pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) dependent enzymes known as the aspartate aminotransferase superfamily or alpha-family. The Homo sapiens and other eukaryotic constitutive kynureninases preferentially catalyze the hydrolytic cleavage of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine to produce 3-hydroxyanthranilate and l-alanine, while l-kynurenine is the substrate of many prokaryotic inducible kynureninases. The human enzyme was cloned with an N-terminal hexahistidine tag, expressed, and purified from a bacterial expression system using Ni metal ion affinity chromatography. Kinetic characterization of the recombinant enzyme reveals classic Michaelis-Menten behavior, with a Km of 28.3 +/- 1.9 microM and a specific activity of 1.75 micromol min-1 mg-1 for 3-hydroxy-dl-kynurenine. Crystals of recombinant kynureninase that diffracted to 2.0 A were obtained, and the atomic structure of the PLP-bound holoenzyme was determined by molecular replacement using the Pseudomonas fluorescens kynureninase structure (PDB entry 1qz9) as the phasing model. A structural superposition with the P. fluorescens kynureninase revealed that these two structures resemble the "open" and "closed" conformations of aspartate aminotransferase. The comparison illustrates the dynamic nature of these proteins' small domains and reveals a role for Arg-434 similar to its role in other AAT alpha-family members. Docking of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine into the human kynureninase active site suggests that Asn-333 and His-102 are involved in substrate binding and molecular discrimination between inducible and constitutive kynureninase substrates.