@phdthesis{Eiken2020, author = {Eiken, Barbara}, title = {Auswirkung von Epiduralkatheter und suprapubischer Harnableitung in Bezug auf die Inzidenz von Katheter-assoziierten Harnwegsinfektionen nach abdominalchirurgischen Eingriffen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-20883}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-208836}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Einleitung Periduralkatheter (PDK) werden häufig zur postoperativen Analgesie angewendet. Deren Anwendung kann zu einem Harnverhalt f{\"u}hren, was oftmals zu einer längeren Liegedauer des Blasenkatheters f{\"u}hrt. Ziel Unser Ziel war es den optimalen Zeitpunkt f{\"u}r die Entfernung des Blasenkatheters zu identifizieren, um das Risiko f{\"u}r Komplikationen im Sinne von Harnwegsinfekten (HWI) zu minimieren. Methodik Insgesamt wurden 501 Patienten in diese retrospektive Studie eingeschlossen, die einen Periduralkatheter sowie einen suprapubischen Blasenkatheter im Rahmen eines allgemeinchirurgischen Eingriffs erhalten hatten. Die Patienten wurde anhand des Zeitpunktes der Entfernung des Blasenkatheters in Bezug zum Zeitpunkt der Entfernung des PDKs aufgeteilt und das Auftreten eines HWIs analysiert. Zusätzlich haben wir eine Umfrage an 102 deutschen Kliniken durchgef{\"u}hrt und die 83 erhaltenen Antworten hinsichtlich der aktuellen Handhabung von PDK und Harnableitung evaluiert. Ergebnis In unserem Patientenkollektiv zeigte sich in 6,7 \% ein Katheter-assoziierter HWI. Signifikant mehr Frauen als Männer hatten einen HWI (7,8 \% männlich versus 20,1 \% weiblich, p = 0,0001). Es zeigte sich ein Trend zur erhöhten Rate an HWIs, wenn der Blasenkatheter nach dem PDK entfernt wurde, jedoch ohne statistische Signifikanz (vor PDK-Entfernung: 29,5 \%, zeitgleich 16,2 \%, nach PDK-Entfernung 54,3 \%). Die deutschlandweite Umfrage konnte zeigen, dass in fast allen Krankenhäusern (98,8 \%), die Patienten einen PDK und eine Harnableitung nach einem größeren abdominalchirugischen Eingriff erhalten hatten. Es wurde häufiger ein transurethraler als ein suprapubischer Katheter verwendet. Der Zeitpunkt der Entfernung der Harnableitung war gleichmäßig verteilt auf die Zeitpunkte vor, zeitgleich und nach Entfernung des PDKs. Schlussfolgerung Der Zeitpunkt der Entfernung der Harnableitung in Bezug zum Zeitpunkt der Entfernung des PDKs scheint keinen statistisch signifikanten Einfluss auf die Entstehung eines Harnweginfektes zu haben. Es zeigt sich lediglich ein Trend zu einer leicht erhöhten Rate an HWIs, wenn der Blasenkatheter nach dem PDK entfernt wurde. Die aktuelle Handhabung in Deutschland zeigt sich sehr inhomogen, sodass weitere Studien notwendig sind, um die postoperative Versorgung zur standardisieren.}, subject = {Harnwegsinfektion}, language = {de} } @article{ZieglerEhlisWeberetal.2021, author = {Ziegler, Georg C. and Ehlis, Ann-Christine and Weber, Heike and Vitale, Maria Rosaria and Z{\"o}ller, Johanna E. M. and Ku, Hsing-Ping and Schiele, Miriam A. and K{\"u}rbitz, Laura I. and Romanos, Marcel and Pauli, Paul and Kalisch, Raffael and Zwanzger, Peter and Domschke, Katharina and Fallgatter, Andreas J. and Reif, Andreas and Lesch, Klaus-Peter}, title = {A Common CDH13 Variant is Associated with Low Agreeableness and Neural Responses to Working Memory Tasks in ADHD}, series = {Genes}, volume = {12}, journal = {Genes}, number = {9}, issn = {2073-4425}, doi = {10.3390/genes12091356}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245220}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The cell—cell signaling gene CDH13 is associated with a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and major depression. CDH13 regulates axonal outgrowth and synapse formation, substantiating its relevance for neurodevelopmental processes. Several studies support the influence of CDH13 on personality traits, behavior, and executive functions. However, evidence for functional effects of common gene variation in the CDH13 gene in humans is sparse. Therefore, we tested for association of a functional intronic CDH13 SNP rs2199430 with ADHD in a sample of 998 adult patients and 884 healthy controls. The Big Five personality traits were assessed by the NEO-PI-R questionnaire. Assuming that altered neural correlates of working memory and cognitive response inhibition show genotype-dependent alterations, task performance and electroencephalographic event-related potentials were measured by n-back and continuous performance (Go/NoGo) tasks. The rs2199430 genotype was not associated with adult ADHD on the categorical diagnosis level. However, rs2199430 was significantly associated with agreeableness, with minor G allele homozygotes scoring lower than A allele carriers. Whereas task performance was not affected by genotype, a significant heterosis effect limited to the ADHD group was identified for the n-back task. Heterozygotes (AG) exhibited significantly higher N200 amplitudes during both the 1-back and 2-back condition in the central electrode position Cz. Consequently, the common genetic variation of CDH13 is associated with personality traits and impacts neural processing during working memory tasks. Thus, CDH13 might contribute to symptomatic core dysfunctions of social and cognitive impairment in ADHD.}, language = {en} } @article{BankogluSchueleStopper2021, author = {Bankoglu, Ezgi Eyluel and Schuele, Carolin and Stopper, Helga}, title = {Cell survival after DNA damage in the comet assay}, series = {Archives of Toxicology}, volume = {95}, journal = {Archives of Toxicology}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1007/s00204-021-03164-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265339}, pages = {3803-3813}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The comet assay is widely used in basic research, genotoxicity testing, and human biomonitoring. However, interpretation of the comet assay data might benefit from a better understanding of the future fate of a cell with DNA damage. DNA damage is in principle repairable, or if extensive, can lead to cell death. Here, we have correlated the maximally induced DNA damage with three test substances in TK6 cells with the survival of the cells. For this, we selected hydrogen peroxide (H\(_{2}\)O\(_{2}\)) as an oxidizing agent, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) as an alkylating agent and etoposide as a topoisomerase II inhibitor. We measured cell viability, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and micronucleus frequency on the following day, in the same cell culture, which had been analyzed in the comet assay. After treatment, a concentration dependent increase in DNA damage and in the percentage of non-vital and apoptotic cells was found for each substance. Values greater than 20-30\% DNA in tail caused the death of more than 50\% of the cells, with etoposide causing slightly more cell death than H\(_{2}\)O\(_{2}\) or MMS. Despite that, cells seemed to repair of at least some DNA damage within few hours after substance removal. Overall, the reduction of DNA damage over time is due to both DNA repair and death of heavily damaged cells. We recommend that in experiments with induction of DNA damage of more than 20\% DNA in tail, survival data for the cells are provided.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{HilligardtgebRueck2021, author = {Hilligardt [geb. R{\"u}ck], Deborah}, title = {Methylierung pro- und antiinflammatorischer T-Helfer-Zell-spezifischer Transkriptionsfaktoren bei ausgew{\"a}hlten Krankheitsbildern}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24949}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-249499}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Die Regulation krankheitsrelevanter Gene und deren Proteine {\"u}ber Ver{\"a}nderungen in der DNA-Methylierung stellen einen wichtigen und zugleich noch unzureichend erforschten Bereich bei Erkrankungen mit inflammatorischer Komponente dar. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Methylierung pro- und antiinflammatorischer Gene im hypoxischen Setting hervorgerufen durch Pr{\"a}eklampsie, Angsterkrankung und Inflammation bei Sklerodermie untersucht. Zur Bestimmung der prozentualen Methylierung wurde Pyrosequenzierung durchgef{\"u}hrt. Bei einem Teil der Proben erfolgte zus{\"a}tzlich die Bestimmung der Genexpression mittels Real Time PCR. Bei Angsterkrankung zeigte sich eine signifikante Hypermethylierung am Promotor des Treg spezifischen Transkriptionsfaktors FOXP3. Daraus k{\"o}nnte eine beeintr{\"a}chtigte Funktion der Tregs und somit eine erh{\"o}hte Komorbidit{\"a}t resultieren. In der Gruppe der an Sklerodermie erkrankten Personen zeigte sich entgegen den Erwartungen eine signifikant h{\"o}here RORC1 und RORC2 Methylierung. Eine Genexpressionsanalyse erbrachte eine signifikant niedrigere Expression von RORC bei Sklerodermie im Vergleich zu gesunden Kontrollen. Diese {\"u}berraschenden Ergebnisse k{\"o}nnten der Methodik geschuldet sein. Auf eine Auftrennung der verschiedenen T-Zellen vor Messung der Methylierung wurde verzichtet. Plazentagewebe bei Pr{\"a}eklampsie zeigte eine signifikant geringere Methylierung am FOXP3 Promotor als Plazentagewebe von gesunden Schwangeren. Die Ver{\"a}nderbarkeit der DNA-Methylierung durch {\"a}ußere Einfl{\"u}sse und Medikamente stellt hierbei einen vielversprechenden Ansatzpunkt f{\"u}r zuk{\"u}nftige Therapien dar und sollte in weiteren Studien konkretisiert werden.}, subject = {Methylierung}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Volk2021, author = {Volk, Simone}, title = {Prospektiv-randomisierte, kontrollierte Evaluation der Auswirkungen zweier postoperativer Nachbehandlungskonzepte auf die Rerupturrate nach operativer Rekonstruktion der Rotatorenmanschette}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24954}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-249547}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Aufgrund der divergierenden Studienlage bez{\"u}glich der physiotherapeutischen Nachbehandlung nach operativer Rotatorenmanschettenrefixation erfolgte im Rahmen einer prospektiv randomisierten Studie die Evaluation zweier Nachbehandlungsmodelle nach operativer Refixation vollschichtiger RM-Rupturen in Mini-Open-Technik. Hierf{\"u}r wurden 57 Patienten pr{\"a}operativ, 3 Wochen, 6 Wochen sowie 6 Monate postoperativ nachuntersucht und ausgewertet. Die Scores beinhalteten den NRS-Score, Constant-Score, DASH-Score, ASES-Score, NHP-Score, SF-36-Score sowie eine sonographische Untersuchung zur Beurteilung der Reruptur nach 6 Monaten postoperativ. Einheitlich erfolgte die Ruhigstellung im Gilchrist-Verband f{\"u}r 6 Wochen. In der konservativen Nachbehandlungsgruppe wurden bis 6 Wochen postoperativ lediglich Pendel{\"u}bungen durchgef{\"u}hrt, in der progressiven Nachbehandlungsgruppe erfolgte eine passive Be{\"u}bung direkt postoperativ bis an die Schmerzgrenze mit Ausnahme der Adduktion. Im Gesamtkollektiv war eine Rerupturrate von 5,3\% zu verzeichnen mit 3,7\% in der konservativen und 6,7\% in der progressiven Nachbehandlungsgruppe ohne signifikanten Gruppenunterschied (p=0,540). Bez{\"u}glich der klinischen und psychischen Ergebnisse zeigte sich 6 Monate postoperativ lediglich eine Einschr{\"a}nkung der aktiven Außenrotation in der konservativen Nachbehandlungsgruppe (46,2∘ vs. 39,7∘, p=0,031), sonst war kein signifikanter Gruppenunterschied zu sehen. Weiterhin erfolgten Subgruppenanalysen insbesondere hinsichtlich Alter und Geschlecht der Patienten. Dabei haben Patienten {\"u}ber 65 Jahren unabh{\"a}ngig von der Nachbehandlungsgruppe k{\"u}rzer Analgetika eingenommen und waren 6 Wochen postoperativ weniger bewegungseingeschr{\"a}nkt. Aufgrund einer Tendenz zu vermehrten Rerupturen nach progressiver Nachbehandlung in der Literatur werden daher weiterf{\"u}hrende Studien ben{\"o}tigt um zu evaluieren, ob {\"a}ltere Patienten von einer vermehrten Ruhigstellung profitieren k{\"o}nnten. Diese Studie pr{\"a}sentiert im Gegensatz zu der {\"u}berwiegend in der Literatur verwendeten arthroskopischen OP-Technik Ergebnisse nach RM-Refixation in Mini-Open-Technik. Damit liefert sie eine gute Grundlage f{\"u}r weiterf{\"u}hrende Studien insbesondere in der Behandlung von gr{\"o}ßeren RM-Rupturen, welche ein erh{\"o}htes Rerupturrisiko besitzen und von einer konservativen Nachbehandlung profitieren k{\"o}nnten.}, subject = {Rotatorenmanschettenruptur}, language = {de} } @article{StepulaKoenigWangetal.2020, author = {Stepula, Elzbieta and K{\"o}nig, Matthias and Wang, Xin-Ping and Levermann, Janina and Schimming, Tobias and Kasimir-Bauer, Sabine and Schilling, Bastian and Schl{\"u}cker, Sebastian}, title = {Localization of PD-L1 on single cancer cells by iSERS microscopy with Au/Au core/satellite nanoparticles}, series = {Journal of Biophotonics}, volume = {13}, journal = {Journal of Biophotonics}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1002/jbio.201960034}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-212655}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an important predictive biomarker. The detection of PD-L1 can be crucial for patients with advanced cancer where the use of immunotherapy is considered. Here, we demonstrate the use of immuno-SERS microscopy (iSERS) for localizing PD-L1 on single cancer SkBr-3 cells. A central advantage of iSERS is that the disturbing autofluorescence from cells and tissues can be efficiently minimized by red to near-infrared laser excitation. In this study we employed Au/Au core/satellite nanoparticles as SERS nanotags because of their remarkable signal brightness and colloidal stability upon red laser excitation. False-color iSERS images of the positive and negative controls clearly reveal the specific localization of PD-L1 with SERS nanotag-labeled antibodies.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schadt2022, author = {Schadt, Fabian}, title = {Entwicklung und erste Validierung eines innovativen Analysen-Tools f{\"u}r pr{\"a}klinische Bewertungen von PET-Radiopharmazeutika zur \(in\) \(vivo\) Untersuchungen neurologischer Erkrankungen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24749}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-247499}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Die pr{\"a}klinische Forschung stellt den ersten wichtigen Meilenstein in der Kl{\"a}rung und Untersuchung klinisch-relevanter Erkrankungen dar. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus unterst{\"u}tzt die pr{\"a}klinische Forschung erheblich die Entwicklung von Therapien. Die Kleintier-Positronenemissionstomographie (µ-PET) spielt dabei eine wichtige Rolle, da sie in der Lage ist, funktionelle, physiologische und biochemische Prozesse in vivo darzustellen und zu quantifizieren. Trotz diverser etablierter PET-Datenauswertungs-Programme bleibt die Analyse von in vivo akquirierten Bilddaten aufgrund der Vielzahl an medizinischen Fragestellungen, der Komplexit{\"a}t der Krankheitsbilder, sowie der Etablierung neuer Radiotracer weiterhin eine große Herausforderung in der Medizin. Ziel dieser Doktorarbeit ist es daher, ein geeignetes, brauchbares Auswertungstool f{\"u}r eine einfache und effiziente Analyse von akquirierten µ-PET-Daten zu entwickeln und zu etablieren, welches das Spektrum bereits vorhandener Programme erweitert. Das entwickelte nuklearmedizinische Datenverarbeitungs-Analyseprogramm (engl. nuclear medicine data processing analysis tool, NU_DPA) wurde in Matlab implementiert und anhand dreier pr{\"a}klinischer Versuchs- bzw. Testreihen erprobt und etabliert. Bei den Datenreihen handelt es sich um µ-PET-Datens{\"a}tze verschiedener Schlaganfall-Rattenhirnmodelle unter Verwendung folgender Radiotracer. Zum einen die im Gehirn homogen akkumulierende 2-[18F]Fluor-2-desoxy-glukose ([18F]FDG) zum anderen das spezifisch an P-Selektin anreichernde [68Ga]Fucoidan. Das NU_DPA umfasst die automatische Selektion des Zielvolumens (volume-of-interest, VOI) aus dem vollst{\"a}ndigen PET-Bild und die anschließende Ausrichtung des VOI mit Hilfe eines PET-Templates (gemittelter PET-Datensatz). Dieses PET Template wird aus den eigenen akquirierten PET-Daten erstellt. Durch das Einbinden eines geeigneten anatomischen MRT-Atlas' (anpassbar) k{\"o}nnen die ausgerichteten PET-Daten einzelnen, Atlas-spezifischen Teilregionen zugeordnet werden. Eine solche Subklassifikation des VOI erlaubt eine genauere Betrachtung und Auswertung der Radiotracer-Akkumulation. Des Weiteren bietet NU_DPA die M{\"o}glichkeit einer semiquantitativen Auswertung der PET-Bilddaten anhand von drei unterschiedlichen Parametern, der normalisierten Aktivit{\"a}t, dem Standardized Uptake Value und der Uptake Ratio. Durch die Matlab-integrierten Statistik-Algorithmen ist zus{\"a}tzlich eine M{\"o}glichkeit der statistischen Auswertung der zuvor berechneten Parameter gegeben. Das NU_DPA-Programm stellt somit ein semi-automatisiertes Datenauswertungs-Programm dar, das sowohl die Registrierung als auch die semiquantitative Auswertung von PET-Bilddaten innerhalb einer Versuchsreihe erm{\"o}glicht und bereits erfolgreich f{\"u}r die Radiotracer [18F]FDG und [68Ga]Fucoidan in Tiermodellen getestet wurde. Nach derzeitigem Kenntnisstand ist kein Datenauswertungs-Programm bekannt, das PET-Bilddaten unter Verwendung des hinzugef{\"u}gten Atlas' semi-automatisiert analysieren kann und potenziell f{\"u}r homogene und Target-spezifisch akkumulierende Radiotracer geeignet ist.}, subject = {PET}, language = {de} } @article{SchneiderCoronaSpoeringetal.2016, author = {Schneider, Anna and Corona, Angela and Sp{\"o}ring, Imke and Jordan, Mareike and Buchholz, Bernd and Maccioni, Elias and Di Santo, Roberto and Bodem, Jochen and Tramontano, Enzo and W{\"o}hrl, Birgitta M.}, title = {Biochemical characterization of a multi-drug resistant HIV-1 subtype AG reverse transcriptase: antagonism of AZT discrimination and excision pathways and sensitivity to RNase H inhibitors}, series = {Nucleic Acids Research}, volume = {44}, journal = {Nucleic Acids Research}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1093/nar/gkw060}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166423}, pages = {2310-2322}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We analyzed a multi-drug resistant (MR) HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), subcloned from a patient-derived subtype CRF02_AG, harboring 45 amino acid exchanges, amongst them four thymidine analog mutations (TAMs) relevant for high-level AZT (azidothymidine) resistance by AZTMP excision (M41L, D67N, T215Y, K219E) as well as four substitutions of the AZTTP discrimination pathway (A62V, V75I, F116Y and Q151M). In addition, K65R, known to antagonize AZTMP excision in HIV-1 subtype B was present. Although MR-RT harbored the most significant amino acid exchanges T215Y and Q151M of each pathway, it exclusively used AZTTP discrimination, indicating that the two mechanisms are mutually exclusive and that the Q151M pathway is obviously preferred since it confers resistance to most nucleoside inhibitors. A derivative was created, additionally harboring the TAM K70R and the reversions M151Q as well as R65K since K65R antagonizes excision. MR-R65K-K70R-M151Q was competent of AZTMP excision, whereas other combinations thereof with only one or two exchanges still promoted discrimination. To tackle the multi-drug resistance problem, we tested if the MR-RTs could still be inhibited by RNase H inhibitors. All MR-RTs exhibited similar sensitivity toward RNase H inhibitors belonging to different inhibitor classes, indicating the importance of developing RNase H inhibitors further as anti-HIV drugs.}, language = {en} } @article{GrabarczykBerks2017, author = {Grabarczyk, Daniel B. and Berks, Ben C.}, title = {Intermediates in the Sox sulfur oxidation pathway are bound to a sulfane conjugate of the carrier protein SoxYZ}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0173395}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171147}, pages = {e0173395}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The Sox pathway found in many sulfur bacteria oxidizes thiosulfate to sulfate. Pathway intermediates are covalently bound to a cysteine residue in the carrier protein SoxYZ. We have used biochemical complementation by SoxYZ-conjugates to probe the identity of the intermediates in the Sox pathway. We find that unconjugated SoxYZ and SoxYZ-S-sulfonate are unlikely to be intermediates during normal turnover in disagreement with current models. By contrast, conjugates with multiple sulfane atoms are readily metabolised by the Sox pathway. The most parsimonious interpretation of these data is that the true carrier species in the Sox pathway is a SoxYZ-S-sulfane adduct.}, language = {en} } @article{LewitzkiAndratschkeKuhntetal.2015, author = {Lewitzki, Victor and Andratschke, Nicolaus and Kuhnt, Thomas and Hildebrandt, Guido}, title = {Radiation myelitis after hypofractionated radiotherapy with concomitant gefitinib}, series = {Radiation Oncology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Radiation Oncology}, number = {29}, doi = {10.1186/s13014-015-0334-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-175443}, year = {2015}, abstract = {We describe the case of a 71-year-old Caucasian female with primary disseminated non-small cell cancer of the lung, presented for palliative radiotherapy of metastatic spread to the 9th and 11th thoracic vertebrae without intramedullary growth. Palliative radiotherapy with daily fractions of 3 Gy and a cumulative dose of 36 Gy to thoracic vertebrae 8-12 was performed. The patient received concomitantly 250 mg gefitinib daily. After a latent period of 16 months, the patient developed symptoms of myelitis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not reveal any bony or intraspinal tumor progression, but spinal cord signal alteration. No response to steroids was achieved. The neurological symptoms were progressive in August 2013 with the right leg being completely plegic. The left leg was incompletely paralyzed. Deep and superficial sensitivity was also diminished bilaterally. The patient was completely urinary and anally incontinent. Contrary to the clinical findings, a follow-up MRI (July 2013) showed amelioration of the former signal alterations in the spinal cord. The diagnosis of paraneoplastic myelopathy was refuted by a negative test for autologous antibodies. At the last clinical visit in May 2014, the neurological symptoms were stable. The last tumor-specific treatment the patient is receiving is erlotinib 125 mg/d. We reviewed the literature and found no reported cases of radiation myelopathy after the treatment in such a setting. The calculated probability of such complication after radiotherapy alone is statistically measurable at the level of 0.02\%. We suppose that gefitinib could also play a role in the development of this rare complication.}, language = {en} } @article{BoelchJakuscheitDoerriesetal.2018, author = {Boelch, S. P. and Jakuscheit, A. and Doerries, S. and Fraissler, L. and Hoberg, M. and Arnholdt, J. and Rudert, M.}, title = {Periprosthetic infection is the major indication for TKA revision - experiences from a university referral arthroplasty center}, series = {BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders}, volume = {19}, journal = {BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders}, number = {395}, doi = {10.1186/s12891-018-2314-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-176983}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background: We hypothesized, that periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) accounts for the major proportion of first (primary) and repeated (secondary) Total Knee Arthroplasty revisions at our university referral arthroplasty center. Methods: One thousand one hundred forty-three revisions, performed between 2008 and 2016 were grouped into primary (55\%) and secondary (45\%) revisions. The rate of revision indications was calculated and indications were categorized by time after index operation. The odds ratios of the indications for primary versus secondary revision were calculated. Results: In the primary revision group PJI accounted for 22.3\%, instability for 20.0\%, aseptic loosening for 14.9\% and retropatellar arthrosis for 14.2\%. PJI (25.6\%) was the most common indication up to 1 year after implantation, retropatellar arthrosis (26.8\%) 1-3 years and aseptic loosening (25.6\%) more than 3 years after implantation. In the secondary revision group PJI accounted for 39.7\%, aseptic loosening for 16.2\% and instability for 13.2\%. PJI was the most common indication at any time of revision with 43.8\% up to one, 35.4\% 1-3 years and 39.4\% more the 3 years after index operation. The odds ratios in repeated revision were 2.32 times higher (p = 0.000) for PJI. For instability and retropatellar arthrosis the odds ratios were 0.60 times (p = 0.006) and 0.22 times (p = 0.000) lower. Conclusions: PJI is the most common indication for secondary TKA revision and within one year after primary TKA. Aseptical failures such as instability, retropatellar arthrosis and aseptical loosening are the predominant reasons for revision more than one year after primary TKA.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Imam2023, author = {Imam, Nasir}, title = {Molecular basis of collybistin conformational activation}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-31145}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-311458}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The nervous system relies on an orchestrated assembly of complex cellular entities called neurons, which are specifically committed to information management and transmission. Inter-neuronal communication takes place via synapses, membrane-membrane junctions which ensure efficient signal transfer. Synaptic neurotransmission involves release of presynaptic neurotransmitters and their reception by cognate receptors at postsynaptic terminals. Inhibitory neurotransmission is primarily mediated by the release of neurotransmitters GABA (γ-Aminobutyric acid) and glycine, which are precisely sensed by GABA type-A receptors (GABAARs) and glycine receptors (GlyRs), respectively. GABAAR assembly and maintenance is coordinated by various postsynaptic neuronal factors including the scaffolding protein gephyrin, the neuronal adaptor collybistin (CB) and cell adhesion proteins of the neuroligin (NL) family, specifically NL2 and NL4. At inhibitory postsynaptic specializations, gephyrin has been hypothesized to form extended structures underneath the plasma membrane, where its interaction with the receptors leads to their stabilization and impedes their lateral movement. Gephyrin mutations have been associated with various brain disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy. Furthermore, gephyrin loss is lethal and causes mice to die within the first post-natal day. Gephyrin recruitment from intracellular deposits to postsynaptic membranes primarily relies on the adaptor protein CB. As a moonlighting protein, CB, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), also catalyzes a nucleotide exchange reaction, thereby regenerating the GTP-bound state of the small GTPase Cdc42 from its GDP-bound form. The CB gene undergoes alternative splicing with the majority of CB splice variants featuring an N-terminal SH3 domain followed by tandem Dbl-homology (DH) and pleckstrin-homology (PH) domains. Previous studies demonstrated that the most widely expressed, SH3-domain containing splice variant (CB2SH3+) preferentially adopts a closed conformation, in which the N-terminally located SH3 domain forms intra-molecular interaction with the DH-PH domain tandem. Previous cell-based studies indicated that SH3 domain-encoding CB variants remain untargeted and colocalize with intracellular gephyrin deposits and hence require additional factors which interact with the SH3 domain, thus inducing an open or active conformation. The SH3 domain-deficient CB isoform (CB2SH3-), on the contrary, adopts an open conformation, which possess enhanced postsynaptic gephyrin-clustering and also effectively replenishes the GTP-bound small GTPase-Cdc42 from its GDP-bound state. Despite the fundamental role of CB as a neuronal adaptor protein maintaining the proper function of inhibitory GABAergic synapses, its interactions with the neuronal scaffolding protein gephyrin and other post synaptic neuronal factors remain poorly understood. Moreover, CB interaction studies with the small GTPase Cdc42 and TC10, a closely related member of Cdc42 subfamily, remains poorly characterized. Most importantly, the roles of the neuronal factors and small GTPases in CB conformational activation have not been elucidated. This PhD dissertation primarily focuses on delineating the molecular basis of the interactions between CB and postsynaptic neuronal factors. During the course of my PhD dissertation, I engineered a series of CB FRET (F{\"o}rster Resonance Energy Transfer) sensors to characterize the CB interaction with its binding partners along with outlining their role in CB conformational activation. Through the aid of these CB FRET sensors, I analyzed the gephyrin-CB interaction, which, due to technical limitations remained unaddressed for more than two decades (refer Chapter 2 for more details). Subsequently, I also unraveled the molecular basis of the interactions between CB and the neuronal cell adhesion factor neuroligin 2 (refer chapter 2) and the small GTPases Cdc42 and TC10 (refer chapter 3) and describe how these binding partners induce a conformational activation of CB. In summary, this PhD dissertation provides strong evidence of a closely knit CB communication network with gephyrin, neuroligin and the small GTPase TC10, wherein CB activation from closed/inactive to open/active states is effectively triggered by these ligands.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Fuchs2021, author = {Fuchs, Katharina}, title = {Validierung verschiedener pr{\"a}disponierender Faktoren f{\"u}r die Entwicklung eines Lagerungsplagiozephalus}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-25147}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-251471}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Bei seiner Geburt und innerhalb der ersten Lebensmonate ist der S{\"a}uglingssch{\"a}del verh{\"a}ltnism{\"a}ßig leicht verformbar. Dies birgt die Gefahr einer unphysiologischen Verformung durch externe modellierende Kr{\"a}fte. Die auf diesem Weg am h{\"a}ufigsten verursachte Deformation ist der Lagerungsplagiozephalus (LP). In der vorliegenden Studie wurden 455 S{\"a}uglinge, die zun{\"a}chst in drei unterschiedliche Gruppen bez{\"u}glich ihrer Kopfform unterteilt worden sind, hinsichtlich verschiedener Parameter miteinander verglichen. Anhand des U-Heftes und einem speziell f{\"u}r die craniofaciale Sprechstunde des CFCW W{\"u}rzburg angefertigten Fragebogen wurden Pr{\"a}diktoren f{\"u}r die Entwicklung eines LP evaluiert. Die herausgearbeiteten pr{\"a}disponierenden Faktoren waren das m{\"a}nnliche Geschlecht, Fr{\"u}hgeburtlichkeit, eine unphysiologische Geburtslage, Notkaiserschnitt oder geburtshilfliche Maßnahmen, verminderte Geburtsgr{\"o}ße, vermindertes Geburtsgewicht und ein l{\"a}ngerer Krankenhausaufenthalt im Anschluss an die Geburt. Als prognostisch g{\"u}nstiger Faktor hinsichtlich der Entwicklung einer physiologischen Sch{\"a}delform konnte in der vorliegenden Studie eine l{\"a}ngere Stilldauer best{\"a}tigt werden. Dies galt ebenso f{\"u}r Gabe von Flaschennahrung aus alternierenden Positionen. Hinsichtlich der pr{\"a}ventiven Aufkl{\"a}rung von Eltern Neugeborener liefert die vorliegende Studie einige wichtige Ans{\"a}tze. Sie untermauert jedoch auch den hohen Bedarf an weiterer Forschung bez{\"u}glich pr{\"a}disponierender Faktoren f{\"u}r die Entwicklung des LP. Dies kann dazu beitragen die Pr{\"a}vention und Fr{\"u}herkennung eines LP mittels fl{\"a}chendeckender qualitativ hochwertiger Aufkl{\"a}rung stetig zu verbessern und notwendig gewordene Behandlungen durch standardisierte Therapieempfehlungen zu optimieren.}, subject = {Lagerungsplagiozephalus}, language = {de} } @article{KuhlemannBeliuJanzenetal.2021, author = {Kuhlemann, Alexander and Beliu, Gerti and Janzen, Dieter and Petrini, Enrica Maria and Taban, Danush and Helmerich, Dominic A. and Doose, S{\"o}ren and Bruno, Martina and Barberis, Andrea and Villmann, Carmen and Sauer, Markus and Werner, Christian}, title = {Genetic Code Expansion and Click-Chemistry Labeling to Visualize GABA-A Receptors by Super-Resolution Microscopy}, series = {Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience}, issn = {1663-3563}, doi = {10.3389/fnsyn.2021.727406}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-251035}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Fluorescence labeling of difficult to access protein sites, e.g., in confined compartments, requires small fluorescent labels that can be covalently tethered at well-defined positions with high efficiency. Here, we report site-specific labeling of the extracellular domain of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA-A) receptor subunits by genetic code expansion (GCE) with unnatural amino acids (ncAA) combined with bioorthogonal click-chemistry labeling with tetrazine dyes in HEK-293-T cells and primary cultured neurons. After optimization of GABA-A receptor expression and labeling efficiency, most effective variants were selected for super-resolution microscopy and functionality testing by whole-cell patch clamp. Our results show that GCE with ncAA and bioorthogonal click labeling with small tetrazine dyes represents a versatile method for highly efficient site-specific fluorescence labeling of proteins in a crowded environment, e.g., extracellular protein domains in confined compartments such as the synaptic cleft.}, language = {en} } @article{PetersKaiserFinketal.2021, author = {Peters, Simon and Kaiser, Lena and Fink, Julian and Schumacher, Fabian and Perschin, Veronika and Schlegel, Jan and Sauer, Markus and Stigloher, Christian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Seibel, Juergen and Schubert-Unkmeir, Alexandra}, title = {Click-correlative light and electron microscopy (click-AT-CLEM) for imaging and tracking azido-functionalized sphingolipids in bacteria}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {11}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-021-83813-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259147}, pages = {4300}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Sphingolipids, including ceramides, are a diverse group of structurally related lipids composed of a sphingoid base backbone coupled to a fatty acid side chain and modified terminal hydroxyl group. Recently, it has been shown that sphingolipids show antimicrobial activity against a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms. The antimicrobial mechanism, however, remains so far elusive. Here, we introduce 'click-AT-CLEM', a labeling technique for correlated light and electron microscopy (CLEM) based on the super-resolution array tomography (srAT) approach and bio-orthogonal click chemistry for imaging of azido-tagged sphingolipids to directly visualize their interaction with the model Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria meningitidis at subcellular level. We observed ultrastructural damage of bacteria and disruption of the bacterial outer membrane induced by two azido-modified sphingolipids by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Click-AT-CLEM imaging and mass spectrometry clearly revealed efficient incorporation of azido-tagged sphingolipids into the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria as underlying cause of their antimicrobial activity.}, language = {en} } @article{ScheerVokuhlBlanketal.2019, author = {Scheer, Monika and Vokuhl, Christian and Blank, Bernd and Hallmen, Erika and von Kalle, Thekla and M{\"u}nter, Marc and Wessalowski, R{\"u}diger and Hartwig, Maite and Sparber-Sauer, Monika and Schlegel, Paul-Gerhardt and Kramm, Christof M. and Kontny, Udo and Spriewald, Bernd and Kegel, Thomas and Bauer, Sebastian and Kazanowska, Bernarda and Niggli, Felix and Ladenstein, Ruth and Ljungman, Gustaf and Jahnukainen, Kirsi and Fuchs, J{\"o}rg and Bielack, Stefan S. and Klingebiel, Thomas and Koscielniak, Ewa}, title = {Desmoplastic small round cell tumors: Multimodality treatment and new risk factors}, series = {Cancer Medicine}, volume = {8}, journal = {Cancer Medicine}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1002/cam4.1940}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228444}, pages = {527-545}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background To evaluate optimal therapy and potential risk factors. Methods Data of DSRCT patients <40 years treated in prospective CWS trials 1997-2015 were analyzed. Results Median age of 60 patients was 14.5 years. Male:female ratio was 4:1. Tumors were abdominal/retroperitoneal in 56/60 (93\%). 6/60 (10\%) presented with a localized mass, 16/60 (27\%) regionally disseminated nodes, and 38/60 (63\%) with extraperitoneal metastases. At diagnosis, 23/60 (38\%) patients had effusions, 4/60 (7\%) a thrombosis, and 37/54 (69\%) elevated CRP. 40/60 (67\%) patients underwent tumor resection, 21/60 (35\%) macroscopically complete. 37/60 (62\%) received chemotherapy according to CEVAIE (ifosfamide, vincristine, actinomycin D, carboplatin, epirubicin, etoposide), 15/60 (25\%) VAIA (ifosfamide, vincristine, adriamycin, actinomycin D) and, 5/60 (8\%) P6 (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, ifosfamide, etoposide). Nine received high-dose chemotherapy, 6 received regional hyperthermia, and 20 received radiotherapy. Among 25 patients achieving complete remission, 18 (72\%) received metronomic therapies. Three-year event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 11\% (±8 confidence interval [CI] 95\%) and 30\% (±12 CI 95\%), respectively, for all patients and 26.7\% (±18.0 CI 95\%) and 56.9\% (±20.4 CI 95\%) for 25 patients achieving remission. Extra-abdominal site, localized disease, no effusion or ascites only, absence of thrombosis, normal CRP, complete tumor resection, and chemotherapy with VAIA correlated with EFS in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, significant factors were no thrombosis and chemotherapy with VAIA. In patients achieving complete remission, metronomic therapy with cyclophosphamide/vinblastine correlated with prolonged time to relapse. Conclusion Pleural effusions, venous thrombosis, and CRP elevation were identified as potential risk factors. The VAIA scheme showed best outcome. Maintenance therapy should be investigated further.}, language = {en} } @article{SilwedelSpeerHaarmannetal.2018, author = {Silwedel, Christine and Speer, Christian P. and Haarmann, Axel and Fehrholz, Markus and Claus, Heike and Buttmann, Mathias and Glaser, Kirsten}, title = {Novel insights into neuroinflammation: bacterial lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor α, and Ureaplasma species differentially modulate atypical chemokine receptor 3 responses in human brain microvascular endothelial cells}, series = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, volume = {15}, journal = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, number = {156}, doi = {10.1186/s12974-018-1170-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-175952}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background: Atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3, synonym CXCR7) is increasingly considered relevant in neuroinflammatory conditions, in which its upregulation contributes to compromised endothelial barrier function and may ultimately allow inflammatory brain injury. While an impact of ACKR3 has been recognized in several neurological autoimmune diseases, neuroinflammation may also result from infectious agents, including Ureaplasma species (spp.). Although commonly regarded as commensals of the adult urogenital tract, Ureaplasma spp. may cause invasive infections in immunocompromised adults as well as in neonates and appear to be relevant pathogens in neonatal meningitis. Nonetheless, clinical and in vitro data on Ureaplasma-induced inflammation are scarce. Methods: We established a cell culture model of Ureaplasma meningitis, aiming to analyze ACKR3 variances as a possible pathomechanism in Ureaplasma-associated neuroinflammation. Non-immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) were exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and native as well as LPS-primed HBMEC were cultured with Ureaplasma urealyticum serovar 8 (Uu8) and U. parvum serovar 3 (Up3). ACKR3 responses were assessed via qRT-PCR, RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry. Results: LPS, TNF-α, and Ureaplasma spp. influenced ACKR3 expression in HBMEC. LPS and TNF-α significantly induced ACKR3 mRNA expression (p < 0.001, vs. control), whereas Ureaplasma spp. enhanced ACKR3 protein expression in HBMEC (p < 0.01, vs. broth control). Co-stimulation with LPS and either Ureaplasma isolate intensified ACKR3 responses (p < 0.05, vs. LPS). Furthermore, stimulation wielded a differential influence on the receptor's ligands. Conclusions: We introduce an in vitro model of Ureaplasma meningitis. We are able to demonstrate a pro-inflammatory capacity of Ureaplasma spp. in native and, even more so, in LPS-primed HBMEC, underlining their clinical relevance particularly in a setting of co-infection. Furthermore, our data may indicate a novel role for ACKR3, with an impact not limited to auto-inflammatory diseases, but extending to infection-related neuroinflammation as well. AKCR3-induced blood-brain barrier breakdown might constitute a potential common pathomechanism.}, language = {en} } @article{HofmannKarlSommeretal.2017, author = {Hofmann, Lukas and Karl, Franziska and Sommer, Claudia and {\"U}{\c{c}}eyler, Nurcan}, title = {Affective and cognitive behavior in the alpha-galactosidase A deficient mouse model of Fabry disease}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0180601}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170745}, pages = {e0180601}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Fabry disease is an X-linked inherited lysosomal storage disorder with intracellular accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) due to α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) deficiency. Fabry patients frequently report of anxiety, depression, and impaired cognitive function. We characterized affective and cognitive phenotype of male mice with α-Gal A deficiency (Fabry KO) and compared results with those of age-matched male wildtype (WT) littermates. Young (3 months) and old (≥ 18 months) mice were tested in the na{\"i}ve state and after i.pl. injection of complete Freund`s adjuvant (CFA) as an inflammatory pain model. We used the elevated plus maze (EPM), the light-dark box (LDB) and the open field test (OF) to investigate anxiety-like behavior. The forced swim test (FST) and Morris water maze (MWM) were applied to assess depressive-like and learning behavior. The EPM test revealed no intergroup difference for anxiety-like behavior in na{\"i}ve young and old Fabry KO mice compared to WT littermates, except for longer time spent in open arms of the EPM for young WT mice compared to young Fabry KO mice (p<0.05). After CFA injection, young Fabry KO mice showed increased anxiety-like behavior compared to young WT littermates (p<0.05) and na{\"i}ve young Fabry KO mice (p<0.05) in the EPM as reflected by shorter time spent in EPM open arms. There were no relevant differences in the LDB and the OF test, except for longer time spent in the center zone of the OF by young WT mice compared to young Fabry KO mice (p<0.05). Complementary to this, depression-like and learning behavior were not different between genotypes and age-groups, except for the expectedly lower memory performance in older age-groups compared to young mice. Our results indicate that genetic influences on affective and cognitive symptoms in FD may be of subordinate relevance, drawing attention to potential influences of environmental and epigenetic factors.}, language = {en} } @article{DombertBalkLueningschroeretal.2017, author = {Dombert, Benjamin and Balk, Stefanie and L{\"u}ningschr{\"o}r, Patrick and Moradi, Mehri and Sivadasan, Rajeeve and Saal-Bauernschubert, Lena and Jablonka, Sibylle}, title = {BDNF/trkB induction of calcium transients through Ca\(_{v}\)2.2 calcium channels in motoneurons corresponds to F-actin assembly and growth cone formation on β2-chain laminin (221)}, series = {Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience}, number = {346}, doi = {10.3389/fnmol.2017.00346}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-159094}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Spontaneous Ca\(^{2+}\) transients and actin dynamics in primary motoneurons correspond to cellular differentiation such as axon elongation and growth cone formation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor trkB support both motoneuron survival and synaptic differentiation. However, in motoneurons effects of BDNF/trkB signaling on spontaneous Ca\(^{2+}\) influx and actin dynamics at axonal growth cones are not fully unraveled. In our study we addressed the question how neurotrophic factor signaling corresponds to cell autonomous excitability and growth cone formation. Primary motoneurons from mouse embryos were cultured on the synapse specific, β2-chain containing laminin isoform (221) regulating axon elongation through spontaneous Ca\(^{2+}\) transients that are in turn induced by enhanced clustering of N-type specific voltage-gated Ca\(^{2+}\) channels (Ca\(_{v}\)2.2) in axonal growth cones. TrkB-deficient (trkBTK\(^{-/-}\)) mouse motoneurons which express no full-length trkB receptor and wildtype motoneurons cultured without BDNF exhibited reduced spontaneous Ca\(^{2+}\) transients that corresponded to altered axon elongation and defects in growth cone morphology which was accompanied by changes in the local actin cytoskeleton. Vice versa, the acute application of BDNF resulted in the induction of spontaneous Ca\(^{2+}\) transients and Ca\(_{v}\)2.2 clustering in motor growth cones, as well as the activation of trkB downstream signaling cascades which promoted the stabilization of β-actin via the LIM kinase pathway and phosphorylation of profilin at Tyr129. Finally, we identified a mutual regulation of neuronal excitability and actin dynamics in axonal growth cones of embryonic motoneurons cultured on laminin-221/211. Impaired excitability resulted in dysregulated axon extension and local actin cytoskeleton, whereas upon β-actin knockdown Ca\(_{v}\)2.2 clustering was affected. We conclude from our data that in embryonic motoneurons BDNF/trkB signaling contributes to axon elongation and growth cone formation through changes in the local actin cytoskeleton accompanied by increased Ca\(_{v}\)2.2 clustering and local calcium transients. These findings may help to explore cellular mechanisms which might be dysregulated during maturation of embryonic motoneurons leading to motoneuron disease.}, language = {en} } @article{FioreVaccaTuminoetal.2021, author = {Fiore, Piera Filomena and Vacca, Paola and Tumino, Nicola and Besi, Francesca and Pelosi, Andrea and Munari, Enrico and Marconi, Marcella and Caruana, Ignazio and Pistoia, Vito and Moretta, Lorenzo and Azzarone, Bruno}, title = {Wilms' tumor primary cells display potent immunoregulatory properties on NK cells and macrophages}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {13}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {2}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers13020224}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-222981}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The immune response plays a crucial defensive role in cancer growth and metastasis and is a promising target in different tumors. The role of the immune system in Wilm's Tumor (WT), a common pediatric renal malignancy, is still to be explored. The characterization of the immune environment in WT could allow the identification of new therapeutic strategies for targeting possible inhibitory mechanisms and/or lowering toxicity of the current treatments. In this study, we stabilized four WT primary cultures expressing either a blastematous (CD56\(^+\)/CD133\(^-\)) or an epithelial (CD56\(^-\)/CD133\(^+\)) phenotype and investigated their interactions with innate immune cells, namely NK cells and monocytes. We show that cytokine-activated NK cells efficiently kill WT cells. However, after co-culture with WT primary cells, NK cells displayed an impaired cytotoxic activity, decreased production of IFNγ and expression of CD107a, DNAM-1 and NKp30. Analysis of the effects of the interaction between WT cells and monocytes revealed their polarization towards alternatively activated macrophages (M2) that, in turn, further impaired NK cell functions. In conclusion, we show that both WT blastematous and epithelial components may contribute directly and indirectly to a tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment that is likely to play a role in tumor progression.}, language = {en} }