Person:
López-Alonso, Victoria

First Name

Victoria

Last Name

López-Alonso

Institution

ISCIII

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ISCIII::Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC)

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 27

Prevalence and Population Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Dairy Cattle Farms in the Cantabria Region of Spain
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2022-09-19) Varsaki, Athanasia; Ortiz, Sagrario; Santorum, Patricia; López, Pilar; López-Alonso, Victoria; Hernández, Marta; Abad, David; Rodríguez-Grande, Jorge; Ocampo-Sosa, Alain A; Martínez-Suárez, Joaquín V; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España); Unión Europea. Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER/ERDF); Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (España)
Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that is widely distributed in the environment. Here we show the prevalence and transmission of L. monocytogenes in dairy farms in the Cantabria region, on the northern coast of Spain. A total of 424 samples was collected from 14 dairy farms (5 organic and 9 conventional) and 211 L. monocytogenes isolates were recovered following conventional microbiological methods. There were no statistically significant differences in antimicrobial resistance ratios between organic and conventional farms. A clonal relationship among the isolates was assessed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis and 64 different pulsotypes were obtained. Most isolates (89%, n = 187) were classified as PCR serogroup IVb by using a multiplex PCR assay. In this case, 45 isolates of PCR serogroup IVb were whole genome-sequenced to perform a further analysis at genomic level. In silico MLST analysis showed the presence of 12 sequence types (ST), of which ST1, ST54 and ST666 were the most common. Our data indicate that the environment of cattle farms retains a high incidence of L. monocytogenes, including subtypes involved in human listeriosis reports and outbreaks. This pathogen is shed in the feces and could easily colonize dairy products, as a result of fecal contamination. Effective herd and manure management are needed in order to prevent possible outbreaks.
Metabolic Reprogramming Helps to Define Different Metastatic Tropisms in Colorectal Cancer
(Frontiers Media, 2022-07-25) Montero-Calle, Ana Maria; Gómez de Cedrón, Marta; Quijada-Freire, Adriana; Solís-Fernández, Guillermo; López-Alonso, Victoria; Espinosa-Salinas, Isabel; Peláez-García, Alberto; Fernández-Aceñero, María Jesús; Ramírez de Molina, Ana; Barderas Manchado, Rodrigo; Unión Europea. Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER/ERDF); Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Ministerio de Ciencia (España); Plan Nacional de I+D+i (España); Comunidad de Madrid (España); Fundación Ramón Areces; Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (España); Research Foundation - Flanders
Approximately 25% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients experience systemic metastases, with the most frequent target organs being the liver and lung. Metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as one of the hallmarks of cancer. Here, metabolic and functional differences between two CRC cells with different metastatic organotropisms (metastatic KM12SM CRC cells to the liver and KM12L4a to the lung when injected in the spleen and in the tail vein of mice) were analysed in comparison to their parental non-metastatic isogenic KM12C cells, for a subsequent investigation of identified metabolic targets in CRC patients. Meta-analysis from proteomic and transcriptomic data deposited in databases, qPCR, WB, in vitro cell-based assays, and in vivo experiments were used to survey for metabolic alterations contributing to their different organotropism and for the subsequent analysis of identified metabolic markers in CRC patients. Although no changes in cell proliferation were observed between metastatic cells, KM12SM cells were highly dependent on oxidative phosphorylation at mitochondria, whereas KM12L4a cells were characterized by being more energetically efficient with lower basal respiration levels and a better redox management. Lipid metabolism-related targets were found altered in both cell lines, including LDLR, CD36, FABP4, SCD, AGPAT1, and FASN, which were also associated with the prognosis of CRC patients. Moreover, CD36 association with lung metastatic tropism of CRC cells was validated in vivo. Altogether, our results suggest that LDLR, CD36, FABP4, SCD, FASN, LPL, and APOA1 metabolic targets are associated with CRC metastatic tropism to the liver or lung. These features exemplify specific metabolic adaptations for invasive cancer cells which stem at the primary tumour.
Age-dependent nasal immune responses in non-hospitalized bronchiolitis children
(Frontiers Media, 2022-12-06) Cortegano, Isabel; Rodriguez-Garcia, Mercedes; Hernángómez, Susana; Arrabal, Alejandro; Garcia-Vao, Carlos; Rodríguez, Javier; Fernández, Sandra; Díaz, Juncal; de la Rosa, Belén; Solís, Beatriz; Arribas, Cristina; Garrido, Felipe; Zaballos, Ángel; Roa, Sergio; López-Alonso, Victoria; Gaspar, Maria Luisa; Andres, Belen de; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España)
Bronchiolitis in children is associated with significant rates of morbidity and mortality. Many studies have been performed using samples from hospitalized bronchiolitis patients, but little is known about the immunological responses from infants suffering from mild/moderate bronchiolitis that do not require hospitalization. We have studied a collection of nasal lavage fluid (NLF) samples from outpatient bronchiolitis children as a novel strategy to unravel local humoral and cellular responses, which are not fully characterized. The children were age-stratified in three groups, two of them (GI under 2-months, GII between 2-4 months) presenting a first episode of bronchiolitis, and GIII (between 4 months and 2 years) with recurrent respiratory infections. Here we show that elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1b, IL6, TNFa, IL18, IL23), regulatory cytokines (IL10, IL17A) and IFNg were found in the three bronchiolitis cohorts. However, little or no change was observed for IL33 and MCP1, at difference to previous results from bronchiolitis hospitalized patients. Furthermore, our results show a tendency to IL1b, IL6, IL18 and TNFa increased levels in children with mild pattern of symptomseverity and in those in which non RSV respiratory virus were detected compared to RSV+ samples. By contrast, no such differences were found based on gender distribution. Bronchiolitis NLFs contained more IgM, IgG1, IgG3 IgG4 and IgA than NLF from their age-matched healthy controls. NLF from bronchiolitis children predominantly contained neutrophils, and also low frequency of monocytes and few CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. NLF from infants older than 4-months contained more intermediate monocytes and B cell subsets, including naïve and memory cells. BCR repertoire analysis of NLF samples showed a biased VH1 usage in IgM repertoires, with low levels of somatic hypermutation. Strikingly, algorithmic studies of the mutation profiles, denoted antigenic selection on IgA-NLF repertoires. Our results support the use of NLF samples to analyze immune responses and may have therapeutic implications.
Impact of environmental neurotoxic: current methods and usefulness of human stem cells.
(Elsevier, 2020-12) Rosca, Andreea; Coronel Lopez, Raquel; Moreno, Miryam; Gonzalez-Martin-Niño, Rosa Maria; Oniga, Andreea; Martin, Alberto; López-Alonso, Victoria; González-Caballero, MCarmen; Liste-Noya, Isabel; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España); Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España); Comunidad de Madrid (España)
The development of central nervous system is a highly coordinated and complex process. Any alteration of this process can lead to disturbances in the structure and function of the brain, which can cause deficits in neurological development, resulting in neurodevelopmental disorders, including, for example, autism or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Exposure to certain chemicals during the fetal period and childhood is known to cause developmental neurotoxicity and has serious consequences that persist into adult life. For regulatory purposes, determination of the potential for developmental neurotoxicity is performed according the OECD Guideline 426, in which the test substance is administered to animals during gestation and lactation. However, these animal models are expensive, long-time consuming and may not reflect the physiology in humans; that makes it an unsustainable model to test the large amount of existing chemical products, hence alternative models to the use of animals are needed. One of the most promising methods is based on the use of stem cell technology. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the ability to self-renew and differentiate into more specialized cell types. Because of these properties, these cells have gained increased attention as possible therapeutic agents or as disease models. Here, we provide an overview of the current models both animal and cellular, available to study developmental neurotoxicity and review in more detail the usefulness of human stem cells, their properties and how they are becoming an alternative to evaluate and study the mechanisms of action of different environmental toxicants.
Background levels and brain organoid impact of RF field exposure in a healthcare environment
(Frontiers Media, 2024-03) Hernández, José A.; Rosca, Andreea; Suárez, Samuel; Coronel Lopez, Raquel; Suarez, Oscar J.; Peran-Ramos, Paula; Marina-Boillos, Pablo; Rabassa, Luis E.; Mateos-Martínez, Patricia; Liste-Noya, Isabel; López-Alonso, Victoria; Torres-Ruiz, Mónica; Febles, Victor M.; Ramos-Gonzalez, Maria Victoria; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Unión Europea. Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER/ERDF); Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España)
Introduction: This study is an introduction to the empirical and impact evaluation of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) radiation exposure in a healthcare environment, focusing on an indoor microenvironment. It explores the expression of various genes associated with cellular responses, cell proliferation, senescence, and apoptotic cell death. The assessment analyzes current personal mobile communications (2G-5G FR1), providing a clear understanding of RF-EMF exposure and compliance with regulatory limits. Methods: The signals from different wireless communication systems at Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC) in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, were examined in 11 locations. Four measurement campaigns were performed with frequencyselective exposimeters (PEMs) and an EME Spy 200 MVG, and experimental electric field values were compared as a long-term exposition. The frequency with the highest contribution (2.174 V/m) observed (1840 MHz) in UMTS was selected for biological effects evaluation. Results: The study focuses on four locations with the highest exposure to communication systems (downlinks), analyzing the results to verify compliance with regulations that ensure the safety of patients, the general public, and healthcare workers. LTE B20 (DL), GSM+UMTS 900 (DL), GSM 1800 (DL), UMTS 2100 (DL), and LTE B7 (DL) exhibited relatively higher E/m values throughout the campaigns, and these values consistently remained below the ICNIRP reference levels, signifying a consistently low level of exposure. In addition, this work presents the biological effects on neural stem cells (NSCs) using 3D brain organoids (BOs) exposed to RF signals in a validated and commercial experimental setting: the Gigahertz Transverse Electromagnetic cell (GTEM). The GTEM allows for the creation of homogeneous field electromagnetic fields in a small, enclosed setting and guarantees exposure conditions in a wide range of frequencies. BOs are an in vitro 3D cell-culture technology that reproduces the cellular composition and structure of the developing brain. Analyzing the expression of several genes associated with cellular responses, cell proliferation, senescence, and apoptotic cell death,wefound that exposure of BOs at 1840MHzdid not affectmRNAexpression in brain genes related to apoptosis or senescence. However, a decrease in gene expression for cell proliferation and cell activity markers was observed during the differentiation stage of BOs. Discussion: The discussion emphasizes the coexistence and evolution of various heterogeneous networks and services throughout the four measurement campaigns. Across all measured results, the levels of the obtained E-field were consistently well below the exposure limits set by internationally accepted standards and guidelines. These obtained values have been established in order to consider their potential effects on cell proliferation and cell activity, especially in differentiating biological organisms. Consequently, the results obtained and the methodology presented could serve as a foundational framework for establishing the basis of RF-EMF assessment in future heterogeneous 5G developments, particularly in the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency range, where the forecast is for massive high-node density networks.
Anonymizing patient genomic data for public sharing association studies.
(IOS Press, 2013) Fernandez-Lozano, Carlos; Lopez-Campos, Guillermo; Seoane, Jose A; Dorado, Julian; Martin-Sanchez, Fernando; Pazos, Alejandro; López-Alonso, Victoria
The development of personalized medicine is tightly linked with the correct exploitation of molecular data, especially those associated with the genome sequence along with these use of genomic data there is an increasing demand to share these data for research purposes. Transition of clinical data to research is based in the anonymization of these data so the patient cannot be identified, the use of genomic data poses a great challenge because its nature of identifying data. In this work we have analyzed current methods for genome anonymization and propose a one way encryption method that may enable the process of genomic data sharing accessing only to certain regions of genomes for research purposes.
Global transcriptome analysis of Lactococcus garvieae strains in response to temperature.
(Public Library of Science (PLOS), 2013) Aguado-Urda, Mónica; Gibello, Alicia; Blanco, M del Mar; Fernández-Garayzábal, José F; López-Campos, Guillermo H; Blanco, M. del Mar; Fernández-Garayzábal, José F.; López-Campos, Guillermo H.; López-Alonso, Victoria; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España); Complutense University of Madrid (España)
Lactococcus garvieae is an important fish and an opportunistic human pathogen. The genomic sequences of several L. garvieae strains have been recently published, opening the possibility of global studies on the biology of this pathogen. In this study, a whole genome DNA microarray of two strains of L. garvieae was designed and validated. This DNA microarray was used to investigate the effects of growth temperature (18°C and 37°C) on the transcriptome of two clinical strains of L. garvieae that were isolated from fish (Lg8831) and from a human case of septicemia (Lg21881). The transcriptome profiles evidenced a strain-specific response to temperature, which was more evident at 18°C. Among the most significant findings, Lg8831 was found to up-regulate at 18°C several genes encoding different cold-shock and cold-induced proteins involved in an efficient adaptive response of this strain to low-temperature conditions. Another relevant result was the description, for the first time, of respiratory metabolism in L. garvieae, whose gene expression regulation was temperature-dependent in Lg21881. This study provides new insights about how environmental factors such as temperature can affect L. garvieae gene expression. These data could improve our understanding of the regulatory networks and adaptive biology of this important pathogen.
Future challenges of biomedical informatics for translational medicine.
(IOS Press, 2013) Hermosilla-Gimeno, Isabel; López-Campos, Guillermo; Mayer, Miguel Angel; López-Alonso, Victoria
There are many challenges for Biomedical Informatics (BMI) to meet the promises of Translational Medicine. Several of the challenges have to do with the re-use of clinical data to progress towards 4P Medicine (personalized, preventive, participatory and predictive) and using epidemiology and clinical research as well as the translation of data and knowledge obtained in the laboratory into useful information for the clinical setting. The INBIOMEDvision EU funded project tackled these challenges in a series of events with expert scientists in different related disciplines. As a result, some consensus ideas were reached about the BMI challenges in the research areas of Genotype-Phenotype integration, Translational Systems Biology and Re-use of Clinical information in the Electronic Health Records (EHR) for research and what is needed to meet them.
Oligomeric and Fibrillar Species of Aβ42 Diversely Affect Human Neural Stem Cells.
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2021-09-02) Bernabeu-Zornoza, Adela; Coronel Lopez, Raquel; Palmer, Charlotte; López-Alonso, Victoria; Liste-Noya, Isabel; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España); Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España); Comunidad de Madrid (España)
Amyloid-β 42 peptide (Aβ1-42 (Aβ42)) is well-known for its involvement in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ42 accumulates and aggregates in fibers that precipitate in the form of plaques in the brain causing toxicity; however, like other forms of Aβ peptide, the role of these peptides remains unclear. Here we analyze and compare the effects of oligomeric and fibrillary Aβ42 peptide on the biology (cell death, proliferative rate, and cell fate specification) of differentiating human neural stem cells (hNS1 cell line). By using the hNS1 cells we found that, at high concentrations, oligomeric and fibrillary Aβ42 peptides provoke apoptotic cellular death and damage of DNA in these cells, but Aβ42 fibrils have the strongest effect. The data also show that both oligomeric and fibrillar Aβ42 peptides decrease cellular proliferation but Aβ42 oligomers have the greatest effect. Finally, both, oligomers and fibrils favor gliogenesis and neurogenesis in hNS1 cells, although, in this case, the effect is more prominent in oligomers. All together the findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathology of AD and to the development of human neural stem cell-based therapies for AD treatment.
Potential Impact of the Resistance to Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectants on the Persistence of Listeria monocytogenes in Food Processing Environments
(Frontiers Media, 2016) Martínez-Suárez, Joaquín V; Ortiz, Sagrario; López-Alonso, Victoria; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España); Unión Europea. Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER/ERDF)
The persistence of certain strains of Listeria monocytogenes, even after the food processing environment has been cleaned and disinfected, suggests that this may be related to phenomena that reduce the concentration of the disinfectants to subinhibitory levels. This includes (i) the existence of environmental niches or reservoirs that are difficult for disinfectants to reach, (ii) microorganisms that form biofilms and create microenvironments in which adequate concentrations of disinfectants cannot be attained, and (iii) the acquisition of resistance mechanisms in L. monocytogenes, including those that lead to a reduction in the intracellular concentration of the disinfectants. The only available data with regard to the resistance of L. monocytogenes to disinfectants applied in food production environments refer to genotypic resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). Although there are several well-characterized eﬄux pumps that confer resistance to QACs, it is a low-level resistance that does not generate resistance to QACs at the concentrations applied in the food industry. However, dilution in the environment and biodegradation result in QAC concentration gradients. As a result, the microorganisms are frequently exposed to subinhibitory concentrations of QACs. Therefore, the low-level resistance to QACs in L. monocytogenes may contribute to its environmental adaptation and persistence. In fact, in certain cases, the relationship between low-level resistance and the environmental persistence of L. monocytogenes in different food production chains has been previously established. The resistant strains would have survival advantages in these environments over sensitive strains, such as the ability to form biofilms in the presence of increased biocide concentrations.