Decreased of BAFF-R expression and B cells maturation in patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Recent evidence has indicated the role of B cells and B cell-activating factor(BAFF)in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).AIM To characterize circulating BAFF receptor expression and B cell subpopulations in patients with hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related HCC.METHODS Peripheral blood samples collected from 41 patients with chronic HBV infection(25 patients without HCC and 16 patients with HCC)and 9 healthy controls were assessed for BAFF receptors[BAFF-R(B cell-activating factor receptor),transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor,B-cell maturation antigen]and B cell subpopulations by multicolor flow cytometry.RESULTS The frequency of BAFF-R expressing B cells to total B cells was significantly lower in patients with HCC(3.39%±2.12%)compared with the non-HCC group(5.37%±1.90%)and healthy controls(6.23%±2.32%),whereas there was no difference in transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor and Bcell maturation antigen.The frequencies of CD27+Ig D+memory B cells,CD27+Ig Dclass-switched memory B cells and plasmablasts were significantly lower in the patients with HCC compared to patients without HCC(1.23±1.17 vs 3.09±1.55,P=0.001,0.60±0.44 vs 1.69±0.86,P<0.0001 and 0.16±0.12 vs 0.37±0.30,P=0.014,respectively).However,the ratio of na?ve and transitional B cell did not differ significantly between the three groups.In addition,decreased BAFF-R expression on B cells was significantly correlated with large tumor size and advanced tumor stage.CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated BAFF-R expression was reduced in B cells that involved with the frequencies of B cells maturation in patients with HCC.The depletion of BAFF-R might play an important role in the development of HCC in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Prevalence of Peanut Allergy in Offspring of Peanut Farmers

Introduction: While exposure to environmental peanut during infancy appears to promote sensitization by the epicutaneous route, early and frequent peanut ingestion during infancy may prevent peanut allergy through oral tolerance. Due to parental occupation, the offspring of peanut farmers are likely exposed to peanut protein in their environment, but they may also have early introduction into their diet due to ready access. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of peanut allergy in offspring of peanut farmers. Methods: A survey was mailed by the National Peanut Board to peanut farmers in the United States collecting information on peanut consumption, peanut reactions, physician-confirmed peanut allergy (PA), epinephrine auto-injector prescription and history of other allergies in offspring. Egg allergy (EA) served as a comparator to peanut allergy. Results: Of 10,349 households surveyed, 1050 responses were received (2493 offspring, participation rate 10%). The self-reported prevalence of peanut allergy in the general population in the USA is 0.9%, 1.3%, and 0.7% for children 0 - 5 years, 6 - 10 years, and 11 - 17 years, respectively. In offspring of peanut farmers, PA vs EA was reported in 3.69% (10/271) vs 2.6% (7/271), 2.8% (14/493) vs 2.0% (10/493), and 1.48% (37/2493) vs 1.4% (35/2493) of offspring ≤10 years, offspring ≤15 years and all offspring, respectively. Physician-confirmed PA was reported in 3.3% (9/271), 2.6% (13/493), and 1.24% (31/2493) in the three groups, respectively. Physician-confirmed PA with epinephrine auto-injector prescription was reported in1.8% (5/271), 1.8% (9/493), and 0.68% (17/2493) in the three groups, respectively. Conclusions: We found that the self-reported prevalence of peanut allergy in offspring of peanut farmers was similar to that reported in the general population. This is a unique population that may provide insight into factors that influence development of peanut allergy.

The importance of timely diagnosis of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease for patient health and safety

Backgroud:Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease(AERD)is a difficult-to-treat syndrome where timely diagnosis and initiation of disease-specific therapies are pertinent to improved patient outcomes.Objective:To characterize the most common timeline for development of the clinical triad[asthma,nasal polyposis,and reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)],identify barriers to prompt diagnosis of AERD,and describe indications for an aspirin challenge to facilitate accurate diagnosis.Methods:Six hundred ninety-seven patients with diagnosed AERD and history of at least one sinus surgery to remove nasal polyps were identified in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital AERD registry.Patient reported age at disease onset of asthma,nasal polyposis,and age of first NSAID reaction were obtained from 2013 to 2019 at enrollment.Results:Of the 697 patients identified,diagnosis of asthma preceded diagnosis of nasal polyposis and first NSAID reaction,although there was considerable variability between patients.Conclusions:Prompt diagnosis of AERD is important for patient and provider education and improved care of this difficult-to-treat population of patients.Consider diagnostic aspirin challenge in patients without historical reactions to NSAIDs who have an otherwise compatible clinical history,specifically in patients who take daily low-dose aspirin,leukotriene modifiers,avoid NSAIDs,or who are severely symptomatic at baseline where it would be difficult to identify an acute worsening of symptoms.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor:Linking environment to aging process in elderly patients with asthma

Aging is a significant risk factor for various diseases,including asthma,and it often leads to poorer clinical outcomes,particularly in elderly individuals.It is recognized that age-related diseases are due to a time-dependent accumulation of cellular damage,resulting in a progressive decline in cellular and physiological functions and an increased susceptibility to chronic diseases.The effects of aging affect not only the elderly but also those of younger ages,posing significant challenges to global healthcare.Thus,understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with aging in different diseases is essential.One intriguing factor is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR),which serves as a cytoplasmic receptor and ligand-activated transcription factor and has been linked to the aging process.Here,we review the literature on several major hallmarks of aging,including mitochondrial dysfunction,cellular senescence,autophagy,mitophagy,epigenetic alterations,and microbiome disturbances.Moreover,we provide an overview of the impact of AhR on these hallmarks by mediating responses to environmental exposures,particularly in relation to the immune system.Furthermore,we explore how aging hallmarks affect clinical characteristics,inflammatory features,exacerbations,and the treatment of asthma.It is suggested that AhR signaling may potentially play a role in regulating asthma phenotypes in elderly populations as part of the aging process.