Michał Czerwiński

In Poland, the first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in March 2020. Since then, many circulating virus lineages fueled rapid pandemic waves which inflicted a severe burden on the Polish healthcare system. Some of these lineages were associated with increased transmissibility and immune escape. Mutations in the viral spike protein, which is responsible for host cell recognition and serves as the primary target for neutralizing antibodies, are of particular importance. We investigated the molecular epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 clades circulating in Southern Poland from February 2021 to August 2021. The 921 whole-genome sequences were used for variant identification, spike mutation, and phylogenetic analyses. The Pango B.1.1.7 was the dominant variant (n = 730, 89.68%) from March 2021 to July 2021. In July 2021, the B.1.1.7 was displaced by the B.1.617.2 lineage with 66.66% in July 2021 and 92.3% in August 2021 frequencies, respectively. Moreover, our results were compared with the sequencing available on the GISAID platform for other regions of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The analysis showed that the dominant variant in the analyzed period was B.1.1.7 in all countries and Southern Poland (Silesia). Interestingly, B.1.1.7 was replaced by B.1.617.2 earlier in Southern Poland than in the rest of the country. Moreover, in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, AY lineages were predominant at that time, contrary to the Silesia region.

One promising research trend involves evaluating the influence of microbiota in the reproductive system of women on becoming pregnant and maintaining pregnancy. The goal of this study was to define the microflora profile of the endometrium and uterine cervix in women qualified for an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure, which is expected to contribute to increasing the percentage of successful IVF implantations. Based on the conducted molecular analysis in the collected swabs, 22 bacterial strains were identified. Eleven strains (57%) that were isolated belong to the physiological microflora, the most common strain of which was Lactobacillus. Eight of the isolated strains (33%) were pathological microflora, among which the most common bacteria were from the Enterobacteriaceae family (which includes E. coli, Shigella, and Salmonella). Finally, three of the bacterial strains (10%) may be a component of both physiological or pathological microflora of the vagina: Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum group, and Alloscardovia omnicolens. The presence of Escherichia coli was detected in six women, Staphylococcus aureus also in six patients, Atopobium parvulum in three, Streptococcus salivarius group in three, Enterococcus faecalis in four, and Aerococcus christensenii in two patients. We found statistically significant relationships (p < 0.05) between Lactobacillus fermentum and Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Escherichia coli groups, Lactobacillus FN667084_s and Staphylococcus aureus groups, as well as Lactobacillus fermentum and Streptococcus agalactiae. Based on the conducted study, it may be confirmed that the endometrium is, to a large extent, colonized by lactic acid bacilli. Apart from that, endometrial dysbiosis was not noted in patients qualified for the IVF procedure.

Research has indicated higher concentrations of histamine and polyamine in endometrioid tissue in comparison with healthy tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the expression patterns of messenger RNA (mRNAs) and microRNA (miRNAs) related to the histaminergic system in endometrial samples and whole blood in women with endometrioid endometrial cancer. The study group consisted of 30 women with endometrioid endometrial cancer qualified for hysterectomy (G1 well-differentiated, 15 cases; G2 moderately differentiated, 8 cases; and G3 poorly differentiated, 7 cases). The control group included 30 women with no neoplastic changes during routine gynecological examinations. The molecular analysis consisted of the microarray analysis of mRNAs and miRNAs related to the histaminergic system, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of 65 mRNAs connected with the histaminergic system, 10 differentiate the samples of tissue and blood obtained from patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). mRNA histamine receptor 1,3 (HRH1, HRH3), and solute carrier family 22 member 3 (SLC23A2) differentiating samples of endometrioid endometrial cancer independent of either G or control. The highest probability of interaction, based on the target score miRDB, between the selected miRNAs and mRNAs was found for the hybrids hsa-miR-1-3p and endothelin 1 (END1), hsa-miR-27a-5β and SLC23A2. The selected mRNA and miRNA transcripts seem to be promising for molecularly targeted therapies in the context of endometrioid endometrial cancer.

Disruption of the dopaminergic system leads to many diseases, including cancer. Dopamine and its receptors are involved in the regulation of proliferation, cell death, invasion, and migration. Better understanding of the mechanisms involved in these processes could reveal new molecular markers and therapeutic targets. The aim of this study was to determine the expression profile of dopamine-related genes and proteins in endometrial cancer and to assess whether miRNAs are involved in its regulation. Sixty women were recruited for the study: 30 with endometrial cancer and 30 without cancer. The expression profiles of dopamine-related genes were determined in endometrial tissue samples using microarrays and qRT-PCR. Then, protein concentration was determined with the ELISA test. In the last step, miRNA detection was performed using microarrays. The matching of miRNAs to the studied genes was carried out using the TargetScan tool. The analysis showed DRD2 and DRD3 overexpression, with a reduction in DRD5 expression, which could be due to miR-15a-5p, miR-141-3p, miR-4640-5p, and miR-221-5p activity. High levels of OPRK1 and CXCL12, related to the activity of miR-124-3p.1 and miR-135b-5p, have also been reported. Low COMT expression was probably not associated with miRNA regulation in endometrial cancer.

Biogenic amines, such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, histamine, dopamine, and serotonin are important neurotransmitters that also regulate cell viability. Their detection and analysis are helpful in the diagnosis of many diseases, including cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the expression profile of the biogenic amine-related genes and proteins in endometrioid endometrial cancer compared to the control group. The material consisted of endometrial tissue samples and whole blood collected from 30 endometrioid endometrial cancer patients and 30 cancer-free patients. The gene expression was determined by the mRNA microarrays and validated by qRT-PCR. Protein levels were determined in the serum by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Overexpression of histamine H1–H3 receptors and early growth response 1 and silencing of calmodulin, the histamine H4 receptor, and the dopamine D5 receptor have been reported in endometrioid endometrial cancer. The obtained results indicate disturbances in the signaling activated by histamine and dopamine receptors, which could potentially contribute to the progression of endometrioid endometrial cancer.