Searched for: person:linx01
in-biosketch:yes
"Transplacental Transmission of the COVID-19 Vaccine mRNA: Evidence from Placental, Maternal and Cord Blood Analyses Post-Vaccination" [Letter]
Lin, Xinhua; Botros, Bishoy; Hanna, Monica; Gurzenda, Ellen; Manzano De Mejia, Claudia; Chavez, Martin; Hanna, Nazeeh
PMID: 38307473
ISSN: 1097-6868
CID: 5627002
Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 delta-variant in a preterm infant [Case Report]
Zia, Muhammad T K; Kumar, Kishan; Gamma, Edmund La; Shakeel, Fauzia; Hanna, Iman; Lin, Xinhua; Hanna, Nazeeh
BACKGROUND:As SARS-CoV-2 continues to be relevant and cause illnesses, the effect of emerging virus variants on perinatal health remains to be elucidated. It was demonstrated that vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is a relatively rare event in the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. However, very few reports describe vertical transmission related to the delta-variant. CASE PRESENTATION/METHODS:We report a case of a preterm male neonate born to a mother with positive SARS-CoV-2 and mild respiratory complications. The neonate was born by cesarean section due to fetal distress. The rupture of the amniotic membrane was at delivery. The neonate had expected prematurity-related complications. His nasopharyngeal swabs for RT-PCR were positive from birth till three weeks of age. RT-ddPCR of the Placenta showed a high load of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with subgenomic viral RNA. RNAscope technique demonstrated both the positive strand of the S gene and the orf1ab negative strand. Detection of subgenomic RNA and the orf1ab negative strand indicats active viral replication in the placenta. CONCLUSIONS:Our report demonstrates active viral replication of the SARS-CoV-2 delta-variant in the placenta associated with vertical transmission in a preterm infant.
PMCID:11134764
PMID: 38807052
ISSN: 1471-2334
CID: 5663462
Placental SARS-CoV-2 viral replication is associated with placental coagulopathy and neonatal complications [Letter]
Tiozzo, Caterina; Manzano, Claudia; Lin, Xinhua; Bowler, Selina; Gurzenda, Ellen; Botros, Bishoy; Thomas, Kristen; Chavez, Martin; Hanna, Iman; Hanna, Nazeeh
PMID: 37952868
ISSN: 1097-6868
CID: 5610842
Characterization of lipoproteins in human placenta and fetal circulation as well as gestational changes in lipoprotein assembly and secretion in human and mouse placentas
Nargis, Titli; Lin, Xinhua; Giordano, Elena; Ijaz, Laraib; Suhail, Sarah; Gurzenda, Ellen M; Kiefer, Daniel; Quadro, Loredana; Hanna, Nazeeh; Hussain, M Mahmood
In the maternal circulation, apoB-containing low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and apoA1-containing high-density lipoproteins (HDL) transport lipids. The production of lipoproteins in the placenta has been suggested, but the directionality of release has not been resolved. We compared apolipoprotein concentrations and size-exclusion chromatography elution profiles of lipoproteins in maternal/fetal circulations, and in umbilical arteries/veins; identified placental lipoprotein-producing cells; and studied temporal induction of lipoprotein-synthesizing machinery during pregnancy. We observed that maternal and fetal lipoproteins are different with respect to concentrations and elution profiles. Surprisingly, concentrations and elution profiles of lipoproteins in umbilical arteries and veins were similar indicating their homeostatic control. Human placental cultures synthesized apoB100-containing LDL-sized and apoA1-containing HDL-sized particles. Immunolocalization techniques revealed that ApoA1 was present mainly in syncytiotrophoblasts. MTP, a critical protein for lipoprotein assembly, was in these trophoblasts. ApoB was in the placental stroma indicating that trophoblasts secrete apoB-containing lipoproteins into the stroma. ApoB and MTP expressions increased in placentas from the 2nd trimester to term, whereas apoA1 expression was unchanged. Thus, our studies provide new information regarding the timing of lipoprotein gene induction during gestation, the cells involved in lipoprotein assembly and the gel filtration profiles of human placental lipoproteins. Next, we observed that mouse placenta produces MTP, apoB100, apoB48 and apoA1. The expression of genes gradually increased and peaked in late gestation. This information may be useful in identifying transcription factors regulating the induction of these genes in gestation and the importance of placental lipoprotein assembly in fetal development.
PMCID:10529644
PMID: 37315736
ISSN: 1879-2618
CID: 5594982
Is Lactoferrin Supplementation Beneficial for All Preterm Infants?
Nayak, Amrita; Tiozzo, Caterina; Lin, Xinhua; Mejia, Claudia; Gurzenda, Ellen; Kim, Maureen; Hanna, Nazeeh
OBJECTIVE: Human milk (HM) has antibacterial properties due to the presence of immune-modulators, including lactoferrin (LF). This study will determine effect(s) of HM maturation, fortification, and storage conditions on LF levels and its antibacterial properties. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:. RESULTS: The highest level of LF in preterm HM was observed in the first week of lactation. However, storage of preterm HM at 4°C decreased LF levels significantly. Both LF levels and antibacterial activity in preterm HM was lower compared with term HM, but significantly higher than donor HM even after HM-based fortification. LF supplementation of donor HM improved its antibacterial activity. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS: Preterm infants fed donor HM, formula, or stored HM at 4°C may benefits from LF supplementation to improve HM antibacterial properties. KEY POINTS/CONCLUSIONS:· Milk LF levels vary with storage and maturity.. · Donor milk is deficient in LF even after adding HM-based fortification.. · Donor HM and formula fed infants may benefit from LF..
PMID: 34058763
ISSN: 1098-8785
CID: 4891072
Extracellular Vesicle-microRNAs as Diagnostic Biomarkers in Preterm Neonates
Schiller, Emily A; Cohen, Koral; Lin, Xinhua; El-Khawam, Rania; Hanna, Nazeeh
Neonates born prematurely (<37 weeks of gestation) are at a significantly increased risk of developing inflammatory conditions associated with high mortality rates, including necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. Recently, research has focused on characterizing the content of extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), for diagnostic use. Here, we describe the most recent work on EVs-miRNAs biomarkers discovery for conditions that commonly affect premature neonates.
PMCID:9916767
PMID: 36768944
ISSN: 1422-0067
CID: 5421072
Detection of Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccines in Human Breast Milk
Hanna, Nazeeh; Heffes-Doon, Ari; Lin, Xinhua; Manzano De Mejia, Claudia; Botros, Bishoy; Gurzenda, Ellen; Nayak, Amrita
PMID: 36156636
ISSN: 2168-6211
CID: 5328352
Dental Caries Postradiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer
Brennan, M T; Treister, N S; Sollecito, T P; Schmidt, B L; Patton, L L; Lin, A; Elting, L S; Helgeson, E S; Lalla, R V
BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:Treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) such as radiotherapy (RT) can lead to numerous acute and chronic head and neck sequelae, including dental caries. The goal of the present study was to measure 2-y changes in dental caries after radiotherapy in patients with HNC and test risk factors for caries increment. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:Cancer and dental disease characteristics, demographics, and oral health practices were documented before and 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo after the start of RT for 572 adult patients with HNC. Patients were eligible if they were age 18 y or older, diagnosed with HNC, and planned to receive RT for treatment of HNC. Caries prevalence was measured as decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMFS). The association between change in DMFS and risk factors was evaluated using linear mixed models. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:= 164), lower salivary flow at follow-up visits was associated with increased DMFS. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:Increased caries is a complication soon after RT in HNC. Fluoride, oral hygiene, dental insurance, and education level had the strongest association with caries increment after radiotherapy to the head and neck region. Thus, intensive oral hygiene measures, including fluoride and greater accessibility of dental care, may contribute to reducing the caries burden after RT in HNC. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT/UNASSIGNED:The results of this study can be used by clinicians when deciding how to minimize oral complications related to cancer therapy for patients with head and neck cancer. Identification of modifiable factors (e.g., oral hygiene and prescription fluoride compliance) associated with increased caries risk can minimize radiation caries burden.
PMID: 35403479
ISSN: 2380-0852
CID: 5207022
Placental extracellular vesicles-associated miRNA-519c mediates endotoxin adaptation in pregnancy
Tiozzo, Caterina; Bustoros, Mark; Lin, Xinhua; Manzano de Mejia, Claudia; Gurzenda, Ellen; Chavez, Martin; Hanna, Iman; Aguiari, Paola; Perin, Laura; Hanna, Nazeeh
BACKGROUND:Pregnancy represents a unique challenge for the maternal-fetal immune interface, requiring a balance between immunosuppression, which is essential for the maintenance of a semi-allogeneic fetus, and pro-inflammatory host defense to protect the maternal-fetal interface from invading organisms. Adaptation to repeated inflammatory stimuli (endotoxin tolerance) may be critical in preventing inflammation-induced preterm birth resulting from exaggerated maternal inflammatory responses to mild/moderate infections that are common during pregnancy. However, the exact mechanisms contributing to the maintenance of tolerance to repeated infections are not completely understood. miRNAs play important roles in pregnancy, with several miRNAs implicated in gestational tissue function, as well as in pathologic pregnancy conditions. miRNA-519c, a member of the C19MC cluster, is a human-specific miRNA mainly expressed in the placenta. However, its role in pregnancy is largely unknown. OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of "endotoxin tolerance" failure in the pathogenesis of an exaggerated inflammatory response often seen in inflammation-mediated preterm birth. In this study, we investigated the role of miRNA-519c, a placenta-specific miRNA, as a key regulator of endotoxin tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:-trimester placentas were treated with LPS. After 24 hours, the conditioned media was collected for analysis, and the placental explants were re-exposed to repeated doses of LPS for 3 days. The supernatant was analyzed for inflammatory markers, presence of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and microRNAs. To study the possible mechanism of action of the microRNAs, we evaluated the phosphodiesterase 3 B (PDE3B) pathway involved in TNF-α production using a miRNAs mimic and PDE3B siRNA transfection. Finally, we analyzed human placental samples from different gestational ages and from women affected by inflammation-associated pregnancies. RESULTS:Our data showed that repeated exposure of the human placenta to endotoxin challenges induced a tolerant phenotype characterized by decreased TNF-α and upregulated IL-10 levels. This reaction was mediated by the placenta-specific miRNA-519c packaged within placental EVs. LPS treatment increased the EVs that were positive for the exosome tetraspanin markers, namely CD9, CD63, and CD81, and secreted primarily by trophoblasts. Primary human trophoblast cells transfected with miR-519c mimic decreased PDE3B. While lack of PDE3B, achieved by siRNA transfection, resulted in a decreased TNF-α production. These data supported the hypothesis that the anti-inflammatory action of miRNA-519c was mediated by a downregulation of the phosphodiesterase 3 B pathway, leading to inhibition of TNF-α production. Furthermore, human placentas from normal and inflammation-associated pregnancies demonstrated that decreased placental miRNA-519c level was linked to infection-induced inflammatory pathologies during pregnancy. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:We identified miRNA-519c, a human placenta-specific miRNA, as a novel regulator of immune adaptation associated with infection-induced preterm birth at the maternal-fetal interface. Our study can serve as a basis for future experiments to explore the potential use of miRNA-519c as a biomarker for infection-induced preterm birth.
PMID: 34181894
ISSN: 1097-6868
CID: 4926282
Underestimation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in placental samples [Letter]
Hanna, Nazeeh; Lin, Xinhua; Thomas, Kristen; Vintzileos, Anthony; Chavez, Martin; Palaia, Thomas; Ragolia, Louis; Verma, Sourabh; Khullar, Poonam; Hanna, Iman
PMCID:8294065
PMID: 34297970
ISSN: 1097-6868
CID: 4954872