Hossein Ameri, Niranjana Kesavamoorthy, Dara N Bruce
{"title":"Frequency and Pattern of Gene Therapy Clinical Trials for Inherited Retinal Diseases.","authors":"Hossein Ameri, Niranjana Kesavamoorthy, Dara N Bruce","doi":"10.1007/978-3-031-76550-6_15","DOIUrl":"10.1007/978-3-031-76550-6_15","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study describes worldwide gene therapy clinical trials aimed at treating inherited retinal diseases (IRD). The information was collected through 15 different international registries including clinicaltrials.gov . There have been 101 gene therapy clinical trials targeting IRD up until the end of 2022. Seventy-seven trials employed gene augmentation using viral vectors; other approaches included inhibitory RNA (9), encapsulated cell technology (6), systemic approach (1), and observational trials (8). The most common clinical trial phase was phase 1/2 (46), followed by phase 3 (12). One trial led to an FDA-approved treatment. Sixty-nine trials were conducted in a single country, and 32 trials were multinational; The USA had the highest share in both categories. Retinitis pigmentosa was the most common disease targeted (39), followed by RPE65-mediated retinal dystrophy (13), Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (13), choroideremia (10 and achromatopsia (8), Leber congenital amaurosis (4), X-linked retinoschisis (4), Stargardt disease (4), Bietti's crystalline dystrophy (2), autosomal dominant optic atrophy (1), and Gyrate atrophy (1). For gene augmentation trials, adeno-associated virus was the most commonly used viral vector (70 trials-90%).</p>","PeriodicalId":7270,"journal":{"name":"Advances in experimental medicine and biology","volume":"1468 ","pages":"89-93"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143389717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is Caveolin-1 Required for Retinal Neuroprotection?","authors":"Olawale O Bankole, Michael H Elliott","doi":"10.1007/978-3-031-76550-6_47","DOIUrl":"10.1007/978-3-031-76550-6_47","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The innate ability to produce neurotrophic cytokines is a crucial component of retinal neuroprotection. Reduced levels of these cytokines accelerate neuronal cell death in the retina during injury but prolonged overexpression can lead to inflammation and retinal damage. It is therefore critical to find molecular targets that regulate the endogenous production of retinal neurotrophic factors. Outside of the eye, caveolins play essential roles in preconditioning, pro-survival signaling, and neuronal protection. They amplify the secretion of neuroprotective cytokines such as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), an important retinal neurotroph. We hypothesize that Caveolin-1 (Cav1) in the retina is required for retinal neuroprotection. This mini-review summarizes findings on the cytoprotective roles of Cav1 and how it may be required for retinal neuroprotection.</p>","PeriodicalId":7270,"journal":{"name":"Advances in experimental medicine and biology","volume":"1468 ","pages":"287-291"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143389743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Extracellular Matrix Gene Expression Patterns in Retinal Wound Healing: A Comparative Study Between Mouse and Zebrafish Laser Injury Models.","authors":"Laura Jahnke, Volker Enzmann","doi":"10.1007/978-3-031-76550-6_35","DOIUrl":"10.1007/978-3-031-76550-6_35","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fibrosis is an outcome of irregular wound healing, manifesting as heightened scar formation marked by substantial extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, persistent inflammation, and gradual tissue or organ restructuring. This condition disrupts the normal tissue architecture, impairing organ function. Herein, the pivotal role of fibrosis in retinal repair mechanisms is compared in mice and zebrafish in responses to laser-induced injury. Our focus spans the intricate interplay between the gene regulation of ECM-involved protagonists and the dynamic development of fibrotic scars. We observed differential gene expression shifts and evaluated the effects of the fibrosis inhibitor pirfenidone (PFD) in the mouse model. These insights into retinal repair mechanisms contribute to a comprehensive understanding, guiding future therapeutic strategies for vision preservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":7270,"journal":{"name":"Advances in experimental medicine and biology","volume":"1468 ","pages":"213-217"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143389600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Fertility.","authors":"Jessica Marinaro, Peter N Schlegel","doi":"10.1007/978-3-031-82990-1_13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-82990-1_13","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Elevated levels of sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation (SDF) have been associated with several adverse reproductive outcomes, including: lower natural and assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancy rates, abnormal embryo development, and recurrent pregnancy loss. However, due to conflicting study results, limited high-level evidence, multiple clinically available assays, and variable standard reference ranges, precisely how SDF testing should be applied to the evaluation and treatment of infertile men remains controversial. To better understand SDF and its role in clinical practice, this chapter aims to: (1) review the literature that has made SDF such a controversial topic, (2) discuss newly published evidence contributing to this complex discussion, and (3) outline the most recent practice guidelines currently available.</p>","PeriodicalId":7270,"journal":{"name":"Advances in experimental medicine and biology","volume":"1469 ","pages":"305-332"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143954909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Current and Future Applications of Artificial Intelligence to Diagnose and Treat Male Infertility.","authors":"Jessica Marinaro, Marc Goldstein","doi":"10.1007/978-3-031-82990-1_1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-82990-1_1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Artificial intelligence (AI) models are being increasingly applied to modern medicine. Within the field of urology, reproductive urology specifically offers many opportunities to utilize this advanced computational technology for diagnostic and therapeutic benefit. While the use of AI models in diagnosing and treating male infertility remains in its early days, current and future applications of these models include automation of semen analysis testing; predicting semen quality; identifying subsets of infertile men most likely to benefit from surgical treatment (i.e., varicocelectomy, surgical sperm retrieval); identifying rare sperm from testis tissue; and selecting optimal sperm for in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In this chapter, we review the current literature surrounding these applications and discuss opportunities for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":7270,"journal":{"name":"Advances in experimental medicine and biology","volume":"1469 ","pages":"1-23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143961447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alexis R Rodriguez, Rachel L Babcock, João Pedro Tôrres Guimarães, Gurvinder Kaur, Jannette M Dufour
{"title":"Immune Regulation in the Testis and Epididymis.","authors":"Alexis R Rodriguez, Rachel L Babcock, João Pedro Tôrres Guimarães, Gurvinder Kaur, Jannette M Dufour","doi":"10.1007/978-3-031-82990-1_2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-82990-1_2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Immune regulation within the male reproductive tract is necessary for the protection of the spermatogenic cells from a detrimental immune response. This is done by the production of immunomodulatory factors, sequestration of the spermatogenic cells behind the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and blood-epididymal barrier (BEB), and controlled presentation of germ cell antigens. At the same time, bacteria and viruses can take advantage of this unique environment, inducing inflammation and infecting the male reproductive tract, resulting in histological damage, germ cell loss, and potentially leading to infertility. An antimicrobial response is important to counter this affliction that if not properly controlled can lead to germ cell autoimmunity or provide a haven for pathogens. Therefore, the immunomodulatory environment within the testis and epididymis is intrinsically important to maintain this property.</p>","PeriodicalId":7270,"journal":{"name":"Advances in experimental medicine and biology","volume":"1469 ","pages":"25-47"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143957862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paige E Anton, Nicole M Maphis, David N Linsenbardt, Leon G Coleman
{"title":"Excessive Alcohol Use as a Risk Factor for Alzheimer's Disease: Epidemiological and Preclinical Evidence.","authors":"Paige E Anton, Nicole M Maphis, David N Linsenbardt, Leon G Coleman","doi":"10.1007/978-3-031-81908-7_10","DOIUrl":"10.1007/978-3-031-81908-7_10","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Alcohol use has recently emerged as a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the neurobiological mechanisms by which alcohol interacts with AD pathogenesis remain poorly understood. In this chapter, we review the epidemiological and preclinical support for the interaction between alcohol use and AD. We hypothesize that alcohol use increases the rate of accumulation of specific AD-relevant pathologies during the prodromal phase and exacerbates dementia onset and progression. We find that alcohol consumption rates are increasing in adolescence, middle age, and aging populations. In tandem, rates of AD are also on the rise, potentially as a result of this increased alcohol use throughout the lifespan. We then review the biological processes in common between alcohol use disorder and AD as a means to uncover potential mechanisms by which they interact; these include oxidative stress, neuroimmune function, metabolism, pathogenic tauopathy development and spread, and neuronal excitatory/inhibitory balance (EIB). Finally, we provide some forward-thinking suggestions we believe this field should consider. In particular, the inclusion of alcohol use assessments in longitudinal studies of AD and more preclinical studies on alcohol's impacts using better animal models of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD).</p>","PeriodicalId":7270,"journal":{"name":"Advances in experimental medicine and biology","volume":"1473 ","pages":"211-242"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143699399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Antifungal Stewardship in Invasive Fungal Infections, a Systematic Review.","authors":"Cataldo Procacci, Luisa Marras, Leonarda Maurmo, Grazia Vivanet, Luca Scalone, Giacomo Bertolino","doi":"10.1007/5584_2024_798","DOIUrl":"10.1007/5584_2024_798","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are a group of life-threatening diseases associated with significant morbidity, mortality and high healthcare costs. Some modern management programs known as AFS (antifungal stewardship programs) have now been developed. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the different declinations of antifungal stewardship programs (AFPs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Articles were systematically reviewed using the PRISMA checklist 2020. EMBASE and MEDLINE/PubMED were searched using the term \"antifungal stewardship\" (2012-2022 data) on 2 January 2023. Eligible studies were those that described an AFS and included an intervention, performance evaluation and outcome measures.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 22/796 studies were included. Approximately two-thirds (16) were published between 2018 and 2022. 16 (72.7%) stated a minimal complete AFS team. 12 (54.5%) adopted a non-compulsory AFS approach, 6(27.3%) had an Educational AFS and 4(18.2%) a compulsory AFS. Cost analyses of 12 studies showed a decrease for 7 (31.8%) compared to an increase for 5 (22.7%). In terms of outcomes, 18 studies showed a lower (10;45.5%) or the same (8;36.4%) pre-post intervention mortality rate.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>AFS programs seem to be related to lower costs and better outcomes and should thus be implemented in tandem with antimicrobial stewardship programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7270,"journal":{"name":"Advances in experimental medicine and biology","volume":" ","pages":"49-68"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139711179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Targeting Connexins Biology as Therapeutic Strategies Against Retinal Diseases.","authors":"Alicia Domenech-Bendaña, Nicolle Salazar, Antonella Locascio, Alejandro Ponce-Mora, Lucía Gimeno-Mallench, Eloy Bejarano","doi":"10.1007/978-3-031-76550-6_79","DOIUrl":"10.1007/978-3-031-76550-6_79","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gap junctions are intercellular channels formed by structural elements called connexins. These intercellular channels play a key role in retinal homeostasis by enabling the exchange of metabolites between neighbouring cells. Several connexins are expressed in different retinal cells, suggesting that the permeability properties of the channels and their physiological relevance could be cell-type dependent. Many studies have revealed that dysfunctional gap junction activity contributes to the development and worsening of retinal diseases. Unravelling the complexity of the retinal connexins' biology is essential to designing effective therapeutic strategies. For instance, new drugs or connexin mimetic peptides that selectively modulate connexin isoforms in each cell type are currently explored as therapeutic options for retinal diseases. To date, Cx43 mimetic peptides have been tested for the treatment of different retinal pathologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7270,"journal":{"name":"Advances in experimental medicine and biology","volume":"1468 ","pages":"485-489"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143389594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Associations of the Adaptive Immune System and Age-Related Macular Degeneration.","authors":"Lucas Stürzbecher, Olaf Strauss","doi":"10.1007/978-3-031-76550-6_1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/978-3-031-76550-6_1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent years, the adaptive immune system has gained a significant amount of attention due to its potential role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Orthologous approaches including cellular and animal models as well as pilot clinical trials have paved the way to understand the occurrence, alterations, and interactions of T cell populations in the retina. Interestingly, the notions of the involvement of the adaptive immune system in AMD have also gained support through recent findings in various neurodegenerative and chronic low-grade diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or arteriosclerosis. In this group of pathologies, cells of the adaptive immune system bypass immune barriers and fuel inflammatory processes at immune-privileged sites. These findings have pointed at immunosenescence as a critical pro-inflammatory process involving T cell biology. Using a murine model relevant to the pathophysiology of geographic atrophy, we have demonstrated that specific populations of memory T cells are recruited to the retina prior to neurodegeneration. The investigation of these retinas at later degenerative stages revealed the presence of activated cytotoxic T cells at the injury site. These compelling results support the participation of the adaptive immune system in retina degeneration and highlight the potential of T cell populations as an early therapeutic target to slow the progression of AMD.</p>","PeriodicalId":7270,"journal":{"name":"Advances in experimental medicine and biology","volume":"1468 ","pages":"3-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143389592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}