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Background: Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated disease characterized by disruptions of the small intestine. Factors such as viral and bacterial infections can trigger CD. Recently, the reactivation of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) has also been implicated, but little is known about their specific role in patients with celiac disease. Methods: The purpose of this study is to explore the humoral immune response mounted against epitopes derived from the envelope portion of three families of HERVs (HERV-K, HERV-H, and HERV-W) in CD patients. Reactivity against the HERV-K, HERV-H, and HERV-W env-su peptides was tested by indirect ELISAs in plasma of 40 patients with celiac disease and 41 age-matched healthy subjects (HCs). Results: HERV-K, HERV-H, and HERV-W env-su peptides triggered different antibody responses in CD patients compared to HCs, with a stronger reactivity (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Present results show, for the first time, that epitopes of HERV-K, HERV-H, and HERV-W are more recognized in patients with CD. Taking into consideration their proinflammatory and autoimmune features, this might suggest that HERVs may contribute to the development of CD or its exacerbation in genetically predisposed subjects. Finally, to elucidate the interplay between gut inflammation and HERVs during the inflammatory process, further studies are required. Those investigations should focus on the expression levels of HERVs and their relationship with the immune response, specifically examining anti-transglutaminase 2 (TG2) antibody levels under both gluten-free and gluten-containing dietary conditions.

(1) Background: In early May 2022, an increasing number of human monkeypox (mpox) cases were reported in non-endemic disparate regions of the world, which raised concerns. Here, we provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of mpox-confirmed patients presented in peer-reviewed publications over the 10 years before and during the 2022 outbreak from demographic, epidemiological, and clinical perspectives. (2) Methods: A systematic search was performed for relevant studies published in Pubmed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 1 January 2012 up to 15 February 2023. Pooled frequencies with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed using the random or fixed effect model due to the estimated heterogeneity of the true effect sizes. (3) Results: Out of 10,163 articles, 67 met the inclusion criteria, and 31 cross-sectional studies were included for meta-analysis. Animal-to-human transmission was dominant in pre-2022 cases (61.64%), but almost all post-2022 reported cases had a history of human contact, especially sexual contact. The pooled frequency of MSM individuals was 93.5% (95% CI 91.0–95.4, I2: 86.60%) and was reported only in post-2022 included studies. The male gender was predominant in both pre- and post-2022 outbreaks, and the mean age of confirmed cases was 29.92 years (5.77–41, SD: 9.38). The most common clinical manifestations were rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, and malaise/fatigue. Proctalgia/proctitis (16.6%, 95% CI 10.3–25.6, I2: 97.76) and anal/perianal lesions (39.8%, 95% CI 30.4–49.9, I2: 98.10) were the unprecedented clinical manifestations during the 2022 outbreak, which were not described before. Genitalia involvement was more common in post-2022 mpox patients (55.6%, 95% CI 51.7–59.4, I2: 88.11). (4) Conclusions: There are speculations about the possibility of changes in the pathogenic properties of the virus. It seems that post-2022 mpox cases experience a milder disease with fewer rashes and lower mortality rates. Moreover, the vast majority of post-2022 cases are managed on an outpatient basis. Our study could serve as a basis for ongoing investigations to identify the different aspects of previous mpox outbreaks and compare them with the current ones.

The metabolic effects of insulin predominate in skeletal muscle, fat, and liver where the hormone binds to its receptor, thereby priming a series of cell-specific and biochemically diverse intracellular mechanisms. In the presence of a good secretory reserve in the pancreatic islets, a decrease in insulin sensitivity in the metabolic target tissues leads to compensatory hyperinsulinemia. A large body of evidence obtained in clinical and experimental studies indicates that insulin resistance and the related hyperinsulinemia are causally involved in some forms of arterial hypertension. Much of this involvement can be ascribed to the impact of insulin on renal sodium transport, although additional mechanisms might be involved. Solid evidence indicates that insulin causes sodium and water retention, and both endogenous and exogenous hyperinsulinemia have been correlated to increased blood pressure. Although important information was gathered on the cellular mechanisms that are triggered by insulin in metabolic tissues and on their abnormalities, knowledge of the insulin-related mechanisms possibly involved in blood pressure regulation is limited. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the cellular mechanisms that are involved in the pro-hypertensive actions of insulin, focusing on the contribution of insulin to the renal regulation of sodium balance and body fluids.

ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown aetiology but with a known contribution of pathogenic immune-mediated mechanisms. HERVs are associated with several neuropsychiatric diseases, including ASD. We studied anti-HERV-W, -K and -H-env immune profiles in ASD children to analyse differences between their respective mothers and child/mother control pairs and possible correlations to ASD severity and loss of adaptive abilities. Of the 84 studied individuals, 42 children (23 ASD and 19 neurotypical) and their paired mothers underwent clinical and neuropsychological evaluations. ASD severity was analysed with standardised tests. Adaptive functioning was studied with ABAS-II and GAC index. Plasma anti-env responses of HERV-K, -H and -W were tested with indirect ELISA. ASD and neurotypical children did not differ in age, gender, comorbidities and anti-HERV responses. In children with ASD, anti-HERV levels were not correlated to ASD severity, while a significant inverse correlation was found between anti-HERV-W-248-262 levels and adaptive/social abilities. Upregulation of anti-HERV-W response correlates to dysfunctional social and adaptive competences in ASD but not in controls, suggesting anti-HERV response plays a role in the appearance of peculiar ASD symptoms.

Previous studies have shown that plasma lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) plays an important role in the development of hypertensive organ damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of Lp(a) with markers of arterial stiffening in hypertension. In 138 essential hypertensive patients free of diabetes, renal failure and cardiovascular complications, we measured plasma lipids and assessed vascular stiffness through the use of pulse wave analysis and calculation of the brachial augmentation index (AIx), and measured the pulse wave velocity (PWV). Plasma Lp(a) levels were significantly and directly related to both AIx (r = 0.490; p < 0.001) and PWV (r = 0.212; p = 0.013). Multiple regression analysis showed that AIx was independently correlated with age, C-reactive protein, and plasma Lp(a) (beta 0.326; p < 0.001), while PWV was independently and directly correlated with age, and inversely with HDL, but not with plasma Lp(a). Logistic regression indicated that plasma Lp(a) could predict an AIx value above the median for the distribution (p = 0.026). Thus, in a highly selective group of patients with hypertension, plasma Lp(a) levels were significantly and directly related to markers of vascular stiffening. Because of the relevance of vascular stiffening to cardiovascular risk, the reduction of Lp(a) levels might be beneficial for cardiovascular protection in patients with hypertension.