Biology subjects

Karlsson, I.

Publications and source records attributed to Karlsson, I..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Leveraging TNFR2 for antitumour immunity: T reg depletion and myeloid reprogramming versus T cell costimulation

Although checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment, responses are largely restricted to targeting CTLA-4 and PD-(L)1. TNFR2 has been identified as a target of interest, but a lack of understanding of whether agonists or blockers should be used, and whether Fc{gamma}R interactions promote effcacy, has hampered therapeutic antibody development. Here, we engineered two distinct -TNFR2 types: ligand-blocking Fc{gamma}R-engaging versus non-ligand-blocking agonist antibodies. Both showed potent anti-tumor effcacy across multiple syngeneic mouse tumor models and combined effectively with -PD-1. The ligand-blocking antibody depleted intratumoral T regs and reprogrammed the myeloid compartment, directing monocytes towards a pro-inflammatory macrophage and dendritic cell trajectory. Surprisingly, this effect depended on both inhibitory and activating Fc{gamma}Rs. In contrast, the agonist directly co-stimulated T and NK cells, through partially Fc{gamma}R-independent mechanisms. Both antibodies converged on activating tumor-specific CD8+ T cells mediating tumor rejection. Clinical assessment of both ligand-blocking (BI-1808) and agonist (BI-1910) -TNFR2 antibodies is currently ongoing. Graphical abstractO_LILigand-blocking anti-TNFR2 mAbs (BI-1808 and 3F10) deplete CCR8+ T regs and activate myeloid cells, remodeling the TME and leading to CD8+ T cell killing of cancer cells. T reg depletion and myeloid activation are mediated through interaction with activating Fc{gamma}Rs and the inhibitory Fc{gamma}RIIB, respectively. C_LIO_LIAgonist anti-TNFR2 mAbs (BI-1910 and 5A05) intrinsically agonize TNFR2 on T cells and NK cells, which is enhanced by Fc{gamma}RIIB crosslinking. The resulting broad lymphocyte activation mediates cancer cell killing. C_LI O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=127 SRC="FIGDIR/small/697572v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (30K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3ecc17org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c936a7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@23189aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@243a05_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Y-maze and Vertical Pole Performance Correlate with Fine Motor Learning in Mice

The relationships between distinct abilities and their interdependencies during memory tasks and motor learning activities are not clear. An important question is whether being proficient in memory or motor learning tasks also translates into better performance in another, similar task - reflecting potential generalization of motor learning abilities. To investigate the correlation between memory performance and motor learning, we used a combination of behavioral tasks that assess general exploratory behavior, declarative memory, and fine motor learning in female mice. For the exploratory behavior, we used the open field task, and assessed declarative memory using the novel object recognition and Y-maze. Motor performance and learning was assessed through the vertical pole and pellet reaching task. We found a positive correlation between the Y-maze and the pellet reaching task performance, where a higher exploration rate indicated a higher success ratio in the pellet reaching task. Further, leave-one-out cross-validation prediction analysis show that Y-maze performance is a robust predictor of pellet reaching performance, showing that mice pellet reaching performance can reliably be predicted from Y-maze performance. These results can be used to conduct a pre-study for challenging motor tasks that include pre-behavioral procedures on mice. Our study shows that performance in the Y-maze predicts pellet reaching performance, indicating that these tasks can be used as pre-screening for motor learning performance and activity.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2018

The frailty index is a predictor of cause-specific mortality independent of familial effects from midlife onwards

BackgroundFrailty index (FI) is a well-established predictor of all-cause mortality, but less is known for cause-specific mortality and whether familial effects influence the associations. Furthermore, the population mortality impact of frailty remains understudied.\n\nObjectivesTo estimate the predictive value of frailty for all-cause and cause-specific mortality, and to test whether the associations are time-dependent. We also assessed the proportion of deaths that are attributable to increased levels of frailty.\n\nMethodsWe analyzed 42,953 participants from the Screening Across the Lifespan Twin Study (aged 41-95 years at baseline) with up to 20-years mortality follow-up. The FI was constructed using 44 health-related items. Deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory-related causes and cancer were considered in the cause-specific analysis. Generalized survival models were used in the analysis.\n\nResultsIncreased FI was associated with higher risks of all-cause, CVD, and respiratory-related mortality. No significant associations were observed for cancer mortality. No attenuation of the mortality associations was found in unrelated individuals when adjusting for familial effects in twin pairs. The associations were time-dependent with relatively greater effects observed in younger ages. The proportion of deaths attributable to FI levels >0.10 were 13.0% of all-cause deaths, 14.7% of CVD deaths and 12.5% of respiratory-related deaths in men, and 12.2% of all-cause deaths, 9.9% of CVD deaths and 21.9% of respiratory-related deaths in women.\n\nConclusionsIncreased FI predicts higher risks of all-cause, CVD, and respiratory-related mortality independent of familial effects. Increased FI levels have a significant population mortality impact in both men and women.

epidemiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Peripheral blood DNA methylation differences in twin pairs discordant for Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimers disease (AD) results from a neurodegenerative process that starts well before the diagnosis can be made. New prognostic or diagnostic markers enabling early intervention into the disease process would be highly valuable. As life style factors largely modulate the disease risk, we hypothesised that the disease associated DNA methylation signatures are detectable in the peripheral blood of discordant twin pairs. Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing, single cell RNA-sequencing and gene array data were utilised to examine DNA methylation signatures and associated gene expression changes in blood and hippocampus, and targeted bisulfite sequencing in cross cohort validation. Our results reveal that discordant twin pairs have disease associated differences in their peripheral blood epigenomes. A subset of affected genes, e.g. ADARB2 contain differentially methylated sites also in anterior hippocampus. The DNA methylation differences seem to influence gene expression in brain rather than in blood cells. The affected genes are associated with neuronal functions and pathologies. These DNA methylation signatures are valuable disease marker candidates and may provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2018

Genetic meta-analysis identifies 10 novel loci and functional pathways for Alzheimer’s disease risk

Late onset Alzheimers disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia with more than 35 million people affected worldwide, and no curative treatment available. AD is highly heritable and recent genome-wide meta-analyses have identified over 20 genomic loci associated with AD, yet only explaining a small proportion of the genetic variance indicating that undiscovered loci exist. Here, we performed the largest genome-wide association study of clinically diagnosed AD and AD-by-proxy (71,880 AD cases, 383,378 controls). AD-by-proxy status is based on parental AD diagnosis, and showed strong genetic correlation with AD (rg=0.81). Genetic meta analysis identified 29 risk loci, of which 9 are novel, and implicating 215 potential causative genes. Independent replication further supports these novel loci in AD. Associated genes are strongly expressed in immune-related tissues and cell types (spleen, liver and microglia). Furthermore, gene-set analyses indicate the genetic contribution of biological mechanisms involved in lipid-related processes and degradation of amyloid precursor proteins. We show strong genetic correlations with multiple health-related outcomes, and Mendelian randomisation results suggest a protective effect of cognitive ability on AD risk. These results are a step forward in identifying more of the genetic factors that contribute to AD risk and add novel insights into the neurobiology of AD to guide new drug development.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2017

Frailty index as a predictor of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a Swedish population-based cohort

BackgroundFrailty is a complex manifestation of aging and associated with increased risk of mortality and poor health outcomes. Younger individuals (under 65 years) typically have low levels of frailty and are less-studied in this respect. Also, the relationship between the Rockwood frailty index (FI) and cause-specific mortality in community settings is understudied.\n\nMethodsWe created and validated a 42-item Rockwood-based FI in The Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (n=1477; 623 men, 854 women; aged 29-95 years) and analyzed its association with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in up to 30-years of follow-up. Deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, dementia and other causes were considered as competing risks.\n\nResultsOur FI demonstrated construct validity as its associations with age, sex and mortality were similar to the existing literature. The FI was independently associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality in younger (<65 years; HR per increase in one deficit 1.11, 95%CI 1.07-1.17) and older ([≥]65 years; HR 1.07, 95%CI 1.04-1.10) women and in younger men (HR 1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.10). In cause-specific mortality analysis, the FI was strongly predictive of CVD mortality in women (HR per increase in one deficit 1.13, 95%CI 1.09-1.17), whereas in men the risk was restricted to deaths from other causes (HR 1.07, 95%CI 1.01-1.13).\n\nConclusionsThe FI showed good predictive value for all-cause mortality especially in the younger group. The FI predicted CVD mortality risk in women, whereas in men it captured vulnerability to death from various causes.

epidemiology↗