Browsing by Author "Vaz, Fátima"
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- 2-DIGE of Red Blood Cells from Sickle-Cell Disease Patients with Severe Vaso-Occlusion.Publication . Vaz, Fátima; Charro, Nuno; Morais, Anabela; Lavinha, João; Penque, Deborah
- Acute venous thromboembolism plasma and red blood cell metabolomic profiling reveals potential new early diagnostic biomarkers: observational clinical studyPublication . Febra, Claúdia; Saraiva, Joana; Vaz, Fátima; Soares, Nelson; Penque, PenqueBackground: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality. The diagnosis of acute VTE is based on complex imaging exams due to the lack of biomarkers. Recent multi-omics based research has contributed to the development of novel biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases. Our aim was to determine whether patients with acute VTE have differences in the metabolomic profile compared to non-acute VTE. Methods: This observational trial included 62 patients with clinical suspicion of acute deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, admitted to the emergency room. There were 50 patients diagnosed with acute VTE and 12 with non-acute VTE conditions and no significant differences were found between the two groups for clinical and demographic characteristics. Metabolomics assays identified and quantified a final number of 91 metabolites in plasma and 55 metabolites in red blood cells (RBCs). Plasma from acute VTE patients expressed tendency to a specific metabolomic signature, with univariate analyses revealing 23 significantly different molecules between acute VTE patients and controls (p < 0.05). The most relevant metabolic pathway with the strongest impact on the acute VTE phenotype was D-glutamine and D-glutamate (p = 0.001, false discovery rate = 0.06). RBCs revealed a specific metabolomic signature in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of DVT or PE that distinguished them from other acutely diseased patients, represented by 20 significantly higher metabolites and four lower metabolites. Three of those metabolites revealed high performant ROC curves, including adenosine 3',5'-diphosphate (AUC 0.983), glutathione (AUC 0.923), and adenine (AUC 0.91). Overall, the metabolic pathway most impacting to the differences observed in the RBCs was the purine metabolism (p = 0.000354, false discovery rate = 0.68). Conclusions: Our findings show that metabolite differences exist between acute VTE and nonacute VTE patients admitted to the ER in the early phases. Three potential biomarkers obtained from RBCs showed high performance for acute VTE diagnosis. Further studies should investigate accessible laboratory methods for the future daily practice usefulness of these metabolites for the early diagnosis of acute VTE in the ER.
- Diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DMT2) associada a Sindrome de Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono (SAOS): um estudo proteómicoPublication . Vaz, Fátima; Valentim-Coelho, Cristina; Neves, Sofia; Penque, Deborah; Barbara, CristinaIntrodução: A prevalência da SAOS é elevada em doentes com DMT2. O não tratamento da SAOS pode levar ao agravamento ou desenvolvimento da DMT2. Temos vindo a demonstrar que a SAOS altera o proteoma do glóbulo vermelho (GV). A SAOS aumenta a overoxidação da peroxirredoxina 2 (PRDX2) (enzima antioxidante), o que pode levar à desregulação da homeostasia do GV e ao desenvolvimento de doenças metabólicas. Após tratamento com ventilação não invasiva (PAP), esta overoxidação diminuiu seguida de um aumento de PRDX2 decamérica overoxidada com funções chaperone na proteção celular (Feliciano et al. 2017). No presente estudo, fomos investigar o estado redox/oligomérico da PRDX2 em doentes DMT2 com SAOS, antes/após PAP, para melhor compreender a interligação entre estas patologias. Material e métodos: Amostras de GVs de controles (n=22 sendo 3 DMT2) e doentes SAOS antes/após 6 meses de tratamento com PAP (n=29 sendo 8 DMT2) foram analisadas por western-blot não reduzido, com anticorpo para a PRDX2 e PRDXSO2/3 (overoxidada). Os grupos foram comparados estatisticamente e correlacionados com dados clínicos e bioquímicos. Resultados: Nos GVs de doentes DMT2/SAOS, o nível de monómeros da PRDX2 mostrou-se aumentado e diminuía após PAP. Contudo, o nível destes monómeros PRDXSO2/3 estava diminuído e não se alterou com o tratamento. Após PAP, o nível de decâmeros PRDX2SO2/3 foi também menor nestes doentes. Os níveis de monómeros PRDX2 e PRDX2SO2/3 correlacionaram-se negativamente com os níveis de insulina/triglicéridos e HbA1C, respetivamente. Após PAP, os níveis de decâmeros PRDX2SO2/3 correlacionou-se positivamente com os níveis de adrenalina. Conclusões: O estado redox/oligomérico da PRDX2 do GV é diferencialmente modulado nos doentes DTM2/SAOS em comparação com doentes SAOS. Decâmeros PRDXSO2/3 induzidos pelo tratamento e associadas à função protetora “chaperone” estão diminuídos em doentes DMT2/SAOS. O impacto clínico destas descobertas, necessita de mais investigação e validação.
- Effects of Positive Airway Pressure Therapy on Red Blood Cell Proteome from Patients with Obstructive Sleep ApneaPublication . Coelho- Valentim, Cristina; Vaz, Fátima; Bárbara, Cristina; Penque, DeborahIntroduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) syndrome, a common public health concern, is characterized by recurrent arousals from sleep and intermittent hypoxemia that can lead to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. We recently demonstrated that OSA syndrome can cause alterations in the red blood cells (RBC) proteome that may be associated with OSA outcomes. Here we intend to investigate whether the positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment can revert/modulate these proteome alterations.
- Effects of positive airway pressure therapy on red blood cells in patients with obstructive sleep apneaPublication . Coelho-Valentim, Cristina; Vaz, Fátima; Barbara, Cristina; Penque, DeborahIntroduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) syndrome is characterized by recurrent arousals from sleep and intermittent hypoxemia. We recently demonstrated that OSA can cause alterations in the red blood cells (RBC) proteome that may be associated with OSA outcomes. Here we intend to investigate whether the positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment can revert/modulate these proteome alterations.
- Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Occupational Settings: Effect and Susceptibility Biomarkers in Workers From Lisbon Restaurants and BarsPublication . Vital, Nádia; Antunes, Susana; Louro, Henriqueta; Vaz, Fátima; Simões, Tânia; Penque, Deborah; Silva, Maria JoãoEnvironmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been recognized as a major health hazard by environmental and public health authorities worldwide. In Portugal, smoke-free laws are in force for some years, banning smoking in most indoor public spaces. However, in hospitality venues such as restaurants and bars, owners can still choose between a total smoke-free policy or a partial smoking restriction with designated smoking areas, if adequate reinforced ventilation systems are implemented. Despite that, a previous study showed that workers remained continuously exposed to higher ETS pollution in Lisbon restaurants and bars where smoking was still allowed, comparatively to total smoke-free venues. This was assessed by measurements of indoor PM2.5 and urinary cotinine, a biomarkers of tobacco smoke exposure, demonstrating that partial smoking restrictions do not effectively protect workers from ETS. The aim of the present work was to characterize effect and susceptibility biomarkers in non-smokers from those hospitality venues occupationally exposed to ETS comparatively to non-exposed ones. A group of smokers was also included for comparison. The sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronucleus (MN) and comet assays in whole peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and the micronucleus assay in exfoliated buccal cells, were used as biomarkers of genotoxicity. Furthermore, a comet assay after ex vivo challenge of leukocytes with an alkylating agent, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), was used to analyze the repair capacity of those cells. Genetic polymorphisms in genes associated with metabolism and DNA repair were also included. The results showed no clear association between occupational exposure to ETS and the induction of genotoxicity. Interestingly, the leukocytes from non-smoking ETS-exposed individuals displayed lower DNA damage levels in response to the ex vivo EMS challenge, in comparison to those from non-exposed workers, suggesting a possible adaptive response. The contribution of individual susceptibility to the effect biomarkers studied was unclear, deserving further investigation.
- Evening and morning alterations in Obstructive Sleep Apnea red blood cell proteomePublication . Feliciano, Amélia; Vaz, Fátima; Valentim-Coelho, Cristina; Torres, Vukosava M.; Silva, Rita; Prosinecki, Vesna; Alexandre, Bruno M.; Almeida, Andreia; Almeida-Marques, Catarina; Carvalho, Ana S.; Matthiesen, Rune; Malhotra, Atul; Pinto, Paula; Bárbara, Cristina; Penque, DeborahThis article presents proteomics data referenced in [1] Using proteomics-based evaluation of red blood cells (RBCs), we have identified differentially abundant proteins associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA). RBCs were collected from peripheral blood of patients with moderate/severe OSA or snoring at pre- (evening) and post-night (morning) polysomnography, so that proteome variations between these time points could be assessed. RBC cytoplasmic fraction depleted of hemoglobin, using Hemovoid(™) system, were analyzed by two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), the 2D image software-based analyzed and relevant differentially abundant proteins identified by mass spectrometry (MS). MS identified 31 protein spots differentially abundant corresponding to 21 unique proteins possibly due to the existence of post-translational modification regulations. Functional analysis by bioinformatics tools indicated that most proteins are associated with catalytic, oxidoreductase, peroxidase, hydrolase, ATPase and anti-oxidant activity. At morning a larger numbers of differential proteins including response to chemical stimulus, oxidation reduction, regulation of catalytic activity and response to stress were observed in OSA. The data might support further research in OSA biomarker discovery and validation.
- Evening and morning peroxiredoxin-2 redox/oligomeric state changes in obstructive sleep apnea red blood cells: Correlation with polysomnographic and metabolic parametersPublication . Feliciano, Amélia; Vaz, Fátima; Torres, Vukosava M.; Valentim-Coelho, Cristina; Silva, Rita; Prosinecki, Vesna; Alexandre, Bruno M.; Carvalho, Ana S.; Matthiesen, Rune; Malhotra, Atul; Pinto, Paula; Bárbara, Cristina; Penque, DeborahWe have examined the effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) on red blood cell (RBC) proteome variation at evening/morning day time to uncover new insights into OSA-induced RBC dysfunction that may lead to OSA manifestations. Dysregulated proteins mainly fall in the group of catalytic enzymes, stress response and redox regulators such as peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2). Validation assays confirmed that at morning the monomeric/dimeric forms of PRDX2 were more overoxidized in OSA RBC compared to evening samples. Six month of positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment decreased this overoxidation and generated multimeric overoxidized forms associated with chaperone/transduction signaling activity of PRDX2. Morning levels of overoxidized PRDX2 correlated with polysomnographic (PSG)-arousal index and metabolic parameters whereas the evening level of disulfide-linked dimer (associated with peroxidase activity of PRDX2) correlated with PSG parameters. After treatment, morning overoxidized multimer of PRDX2 negatively correlated with fasting glucose and dopamine levels. Overall, these data point toward severe oxidative stress and altered antioxidant homeostasis in OSA RBC occurring mainly at morning time but with consequences till evening. The beneficial effect of PAP involves modulation of the redox/oligomeric state of PRDX2, whose mechanism and associated chaperone/transduction signaling functions deserves further investigation. RBC PRDX2 is a promising candidate biomarker for OSA severity and treatment monitoring, warranting further investigation and validation.
- Impacto do fumo do cigarro passivo no proteoma humano: em busca de biomarcadores precoces de risco para a saúdePublication . Neves, Sofia; Pacheco, Solange A.; Vaz, Fátima; Valentim-Coelho, Cristina; Saraiva, Joana; James, Peter; Simões, Tânia; Penque, DeborahOs não-fumadores expostos ao fumo do cigarro passivo ou, simplesmente fumo passivo (FP), apresentam um risco acrescido de desenvolver diversas doenças graves. No entanto, os mecanismos moleculares que explicam estes efeitos continuam pouco esclarecidos, o que reforça a necessidade de identificar biomarcadores capazes de avaliar o risco associado a esta exposição. Neste estudo, analisámos o proteoma do epitélio nasal e do plasma de indivíduos não-fumadores saudáveis expostos ao FP no local de trabalho, num contexto ainda enquadrado pela Lei n.º 37/2007, utilizando uma abordagem proteómica ‘shotgun’ por espectrometria de massa. No epitélio nasal, observámos um aumento de proteínas envolvidas em vias centrais do metabolismo energético, como a Gliceraldeído-3-fosfato desidrogenase (GAPDH) e a Triosefosfato isomerase (TPI1), sugerindo uma possível reprogramação metabólica induzida pela exposição. Identificámos também uma diminuição da tubulina beta-4B (TUBB4B), relacionada com a organização do citoesqueleto, e um aumento da proteína anti-apoptótica SERPINB3, apontando para alterações em processos de morte e sobrevivência celular. No plasma, destacaram-se o aumento da Butirilcolinesterase (BChE) e a diminuição da Proteína de ligação à vitamina D (GC), ambas associadas à resposta a xenobióticos e a processos de lesão tecidular. Foram ainda detetadas alterações em proteínas reguladoras da inflamação sistémica, como C1R, C1QC, HRG e PROS1. A expressão diferencial de APOA4 e SERPINF2 sugere, adicionalmente, a ativação de mecanismos relacionados com risco aterotrombótico. Em conjunto, estes resultados contribuem para aprofundar a compreensão das vias biológicas que ligam a exposição ao fumo passivo ao risco acrescido de cancro e de doenças cardiovasculares, e apresentam um conjunto promissor de potenciais biomarcadores para avaliação do risco associado à exposição ao FP.
- Investigating the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on the red blood cell immune function by omics-based approachesPublication . Saraiva, Joana; Coelho, Cristina Valentim; Vaz, Fátima; Antunes, Marilia; Neves, Sofia; Ricardo, Peliano; Andrade, Odília; Miranda, Armandina; Melo, Aryse; Roque, Carla; Guiomar, Raquel; Mohammad, Hamza; Soares, Nelson; Penque, DeborahThe role of red blood cells (RBC) in the immune system is increasingly recognized. However, RBC-derived molecules with an immunomodulatory role in health and disease, as well as in vaccine immunogenicity are still poorly investigated. Taking as a model the emergent COVID-19 vaccines, we aimed to investigate whether vaccines induce proteome and/or metabolome changes in RBCs able to affect T-cell immune activity, as a mechanistic test for vaccine immunization regulated by RBCs. Our ultimate goal is to identify RBC immunomodulators as potential co-adjuvants in the formulation of next-generation vaccines with bolstered efficacy and duration. A biobank of blood samples collected longitudinally under ‘omics’ quality control from subjects (n=39) that underwent vaccination for COVID-19 between April and September 2021 was created. This biobank is associated with extensive clinical data, including demographic data, COVID-19 PCR diagnosis, hematological and vaccine effectivity data. Linear Mixed Models, were used to evaluate the association between biometrical characteristics, health related habits, vaccine technology and vaccine effectivity and hematological parameters, along the different time-points (t0-t4) under study, i.e, before and after (24-72h or 30 days) of the first and second dose of vaccine. Statistical analyses were performed using R software version 4.1.2. Results showed significant differences (p<0.05) before/after vaccination in a set of hematological variables (e.g., hemoglobin, lymphocytes and monocytes values), as well in terms of vaccine effectivity and vaccine technology (mRNA or adenovirus – based vaccines). Preliminary data from proteomics and metabolomics analysis of RBCs along the different time-points (t0-4) of immunization response will be also presented and discussed. The knowledge gained with this project can generate important evidence-based recommendations intended to optimize vaccine immunization, by recognizing the impact of blood cells such RBCs in the immune system regulation.
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