Publications
2026
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Professional Stakeholders' Perspectives on Early Screening for Type 1 Diabetes in Children: A Systematic Review
Early screening for type 1 diabetes (T1D) is receiving increasing attention as presymptomatic screening initiatives and disease-modifying therapies continue to expand. However, the perspectives of professional stakeholders, who play a pivotal role in implementation, patient engagement, and health system preparedness, have not been systematically synthesised. We conducted a systematic review to examine professional views on paediatric early T1D screening. Following PRISMA guidelines, six... -
Testing the safety of nature-based microbial exposure in atopic dermatitis patients: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded pilot trial
The biodiversity hypothesis posits that contact with microbial biodiversity is beneficial for human health, and that the loss of such contact may contribute to immune-mediated diseases such as atopy. Based on this hypothesis, we aimed to investigate whether a lotion containing a highly diverse mixture of inactivated natural microbes is a safe and feasible method to administer nature-based microbial exposure to humans, and to assess its effects on healthy and atopic skin. Participants with atopic... -
Effects of crowberry (<em>Empetrum nigrum</em> subsp. <em>hermaphroditum</em>) supplementation on inflammatory and metabolic adverse effects in high-fat diet-induced experimental obesity
CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that crowberry supplementation can effectively counteract high-fat diet-induced systemic and hepatic inflammation in experimental obesity, supporting its use as a part of a healthy diet. Clinical studies are needed to assess the translation of these findings to humans and the role of crowberries in dietary strategies combating obesity and its comorbidities. -
Competitive protein adsorption on silicate bioactive glasses
Recent studies have highlighted a poor correlation between the outcomes of in vitro and in vivo characterization of biomaterials. This highlights the poor reliability of the current in vitro models, caused by the lack of knowledge concerning the early-stage interactions between the implanted material and its surrounding tissue, which is largely regulated by protein adsorption on implant. This study investigates the adsorption kinetics of human serum albumin (HSA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and... -
Infant respiratory syncytial virus and childhood asthma: a nationwide registry-based, sibling-controlled, and genome-wide association study
BACKGROUND: Early-life respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is associated with childhood recurrent wheeze or asthma (RW/A), but causality and shared genetic liability remain unclear. -
Gut microbiome maturation in early childhood interacts with host genetics to predict type 1 diabetes risk
Prospective evidence linking early-life microbiome development and host genetics with type 1 diabetes (T1D) risk is limited. Here, we describe how gut microbiome maturation and host genetics influence T1D risk in the TEDDY study. We analysed 12,151 longitudinal metagenomes and host genetic data from 887 children at high genetic risk for T1D followed for up to 6 years. We identify three microbiome maturational patterns: Early Matured, Late Matured and Early Plateaued, driven primarily by... -
Correction: Five-Year Immune Persistence of a Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MenACYW-TT) and Immunogenicity and Safety of a Booster Dose in Children
No abstract -
Pulmonary inflammatory markers in workers exposed to metal dusts and fumes in ferrochromium and stainless steel production
CONCLUSIONS: : Although the differences in some inflammatory markers were statistically significant, further research is needed to ascertain the clinical significance of the finding. -
TRPA1 Regulates Fibrosis-Associated Transcriptional Pathways in Human Lung Epithelial Cells
Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is a cation channel originally identified in lung fibroblasts and extensively studied in sensory neurons, where it is associated with pain and neurogenic inflammation. We and others have recently shown that TRPA1 is also expressed in lung epithelial cells and that its expression is regulated by the cytokine environment. In the present study, we used next-generation sequencing to analyse the role of TRPA1 and the effects of its inhibition on human... -
Avidin is evolutionarily conserved in fish but dispensable for development and resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae in zebrafish
Biotin is a vital cofactor in cellular carboxylation reactions and avidins are biotin-binding proteins that are produced by bacteria and fungi but also by egg-laying vertebrates, including avian species and zebrafish (Danio rerio). Although avidins have proposed roles in embryonic development and immunity, their biological significance is poorly characterized. Moreover, besides zebrafish, the presence of avidins in other fish species has not been explored. Here, we cataloged avidins in fish...
2025
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Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 promotes the expression of interferon-stimulated antiviral genes in human A549 lung epithelial cells
Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is an ion channel known for its chemosensory function in neurons, causing pain and neurogenic inflammation. TRPA1 is activated by many noxious compounds including some inflammatory mediators. We and others have shown that TRPA1 is also expressed in epithelial cells, but its function in the epithelial barrier remains unclear. Here, we discovered in RNA-seq studies that inhibition of TRPA1 reduced the expression of a large number of antiviral and... -
Association of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentration with neurological outcome after cardiac arrest and resuscitation - a substudy of the COMACARE trial
CONCLUSION: OHCA patients had higher plasma concentrations of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 than elective surgery patients. However, the concentrations showed no association with outcome. -
Evaluation of a fully automated "sample-to-result" PCR-based diagnostic test for detecting A/C/G Streptococci from throat swab specimens
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) and group C/G Streptococcus (GCS/GGS) species cause bacterial pharyngitis in both adults and children. Occasionally, GAS can cause invasive and severe infections like septicemia, streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome, and necrotizing fasciitis. Throat culture has remained the gold standard method for diagnosing GAS or GCS/GGS pharyngitis. Methodologically, bacterial cultivation is laborious and time-consuming. For this, nucleic acid-based tests have been developed... -
Clustering patterns in Finnish type 1 diabetes patients: a nationwide register-based study
CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate evidence of spatiotemporal clustering of T1DM in Finnish children, supporting the hypothesis of environmental triggers in T1DM etiology. These findings highlight the need for further research to identify the specific environmental factors and mechanisms behind the clustering. -
Screening for Celiac Disease in Childhood: Cost-Effectiveness of Multiple Genetic and Serological Testing Approaches
CONCLUSIONS: The most cost-effective screening strategy for celiac disease was single-time untargeted serological testing at age 11. The optimal approach is affected by regional factors and may evolve with new evidence. Repeated screening may be preferable for high-risk groups and with high willingness to pay. -
Repeated Intake of Grapefruit Juice Inhibits CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 while Lingonberry Powder Does Not Induce Major CYP Enzymes in Humans
Grapefruit juice is a well-established inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, but its effects on other CYP enzymes or organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) are not fully characterized in humans. Recently, lingonberry powder was shown to induce murine CYP enzymes. We investigated the effects of lingonberry powder and grapefruit juice on seven CYP enzymes and two OATPs. Eleven healthy volunteers received three pretreatments three times per day: water for 1 day (control), lingonberry... -
Immunometabolic profiling in menopausal women with multiple sclerosis: the role of adipokines and hormone therapy
CONCLUSIONS: Adipokine imbalance and lower vitamin D levels were associated with systemic inflammation in PwMS. Adipsin emerged as a promising biomarker, with potential relevance for disease monitoring and therapeutic modulation via hormonal pathways. These findings support further exploration of multibiomarker profiling to guide personalised care in menopausal MS. -
Investigation of the transcriptional impact of rare germline JAK/STAT variants found in a Tyrolean alpine community
The impact of most missense variants in immune regulatory genes on steady-state immune transcriptome expression in healthy individuals in real-world conditions remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the transcriptional impact of 21 germline variants in JAK, TYK2, and STAT family genes identified within a healthy Austrian alpine cohort. Of the 98 participants 35 carried only one variant and 32 carried two or more variants. Allele frequencies (AF) of these germline mutations, based on... -
Microbial associations and viruses on the risk of celiac disease (MAVRiC): a longitudinal post-hoc case-cohort study
Celiac disease etiopathogenesis requires genetic predisposition and exposure to gluten, yet these factors alone are not sufficient. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to determine the role of time-varying infections and gut microorganisms. The aim was to design a celiac disease case-cohort longitudinal study using The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study. By age 3-years, persistent tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies (tTGA), i.e., celiac disease autoimmunity... -
Dexamethasone regulates gene expression in chondrocytes through MKP-1 and downregulates cholesterol hydroxylases CH25H and CYP7B1
CONCLUSIONS: In conjunction with previous findings, the current data substantiate the role of MKP-1 as a protective factor in chondrocytes and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of osteoarthritis, because increased levels of cholesterol and its metabolism by CH25H and CYP7B1 are involved in the pathogenesis of OA, particularly in its obesity-associated phenotype.
2024
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Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in a patient on immunomodulatory drug: A case report
CONCLUSIONS: Our case underlines the importance of active diagnostic measures such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis in patients under fingolimod treatment with central nervous symptoms. While multiple sclerosis may cause headache and vision impairment, similar symptoms may be caused by central nervous system infections. It has been suggested that fingolimod may subject one to infections and this may occur even years after initiation of the treatment. For our case patient Cerebrospinal fluid... -
Molecular basis of JAK kinase regulation guiding therapeutic approaches: Evaluating the JAK3 pseudokinase domain as a drug target
Janus kinases (JAK1-3, TYK2) are critical mediators of cytokine signaling and their role in hematological and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases has sparked widespread interest in their therapeutic targeting. JAKs have unique tandem kinase structure consisting of an active tyrosine kinase domain adjacent to a pseudokinase domain that is a hotspot for pathogenic mutations. The development of JAK inhibitors has focused on the active kinase domain and the developed drugs have demonstrated good... -
Breadth of immune response, immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety for a pentavalent meningococcal ABCWY vaccine in healthy adolescents and young adults: results from a phase 3, randomised, controlled observer-blinded trial
BACKGROUND: A multicomponent meningococcal serogroups ABCWY vaccine (MenABCWY) could provide broad protection against disease-causing meningococcal strains and simplify the immunisation schedule. The aim of this trial was to confirm the effect of the licensed meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine, 4CMenB, against diverse MenB strains, and to assess the breadth of immune response against a panel of 110 MenB strains for MenABCWY containing the antigenic components of 4CMenB and licensed... -
Physical exercise, systemic inflammation and adult-onset asthma: a 12-year follow-up study
Objective: Physical exercise in treatment of asthma is scarcely studied with no clear exercise guidelines for asthmatics. We aimed to investigate the associations between physical exercise frequency, systemic inflammation and asthma control. This has not been previously studied in adult-onset asthma. -
Clinical performance of two commercially available rapid antigen tests for influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) might provide rapid, low-cost, and easy-to-perform choice to nucleic-acid amplification methods (NAAT) in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics of respiratory infections. The clinical performance of two commercial combo-RATs for influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) POC diagnostics, was assessed. RAT and real-time-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis were performed on 620 patients admitted to the emergency... -
4CMenB Breadth of Immune Response, Immunogenicity, and Safety: Results From a Phase 3 Randomized, Controlled, Observer Blind Study in Adolescents and Young Adults
CONCLUSIONS: The 2-dose (0-2, 0-6) 4CMenB schedules met predefined criteria for success for both breadth of immune response endpoints against a diverse MenB strain panel, had comparable immunogenicity, and safety in line with the established 4CMenB safety profile. The 3-dose schedule provided no additional immunological benefit, supporting use of the 4CMenB 0-2 schedule. -
Leptin and leptin receptor gene polymorphisms and depression treatment response
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that LEPR polymorphisms are associated with depression treatment response. We also found associations between leptin levels and depression independently of BMI. Further studies and meta-analyses are needed to confirm the significance of found SNPs and the role of leptin in depression. -
Looking back at the TEDDY study: lessons and future directions
The goal of the TEDDY (The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young) study is to elucidate factors leading to the initiation of islet autoimmunity (first primary outcome) and those related to progression to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM; second primary outcome). This Review outlines the key findings so far, particularly related to the first primary outcome. The background, history and organization of the study are discussed. Recruitment and follow-up (from age 4 months to 15 years)... -
Structural insight into rabies virus neutralization revealed by an engineered antibody scaffold
Host-cell entry of the highly pathogenic rabies virus (RABV) is mediated by glycoprotein (G) spikes, which also comprise the primary target for the humoral immune response. RABV glycoprotein (RABV-G) displays several antigenic sites that are targeted by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In this study, we determined the epitope of a potently neutralizing human mAb, CR57, which we engineered into a diabody format to facilitate crystallization. We report the crystal structure of the CR57... -
Risk of celiac disease autoimmunity is modified by interactions between CD247 and environmental exposures
Season of birth, viral infections, HLA haplogenotypes and non-HLA variants are implicated in the development of celiac disease and celiac disease autoimmunity, suggesting a combined role of genes and environmental exposures. The aim of the study was to further decipher the biological pathways conveying the season of birth effect in celiac disease autoimmunity to gain novel insights into the early pathogenesis of celiac disease. Interactions between season of birth, genetics, and early-life...
2023
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Editorial: The contribution of viruses and innate immune system in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes
No abstract -
Generation of a Zebrafish Knock-In Model Recapitulating Childhood ETV6::RUNX1-Positive B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Approximately 25% of children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pB-ALL) harbor the t(12;21)(p13;q22) translocation, leading to the ETV6::RUNX1 (E::R) fusion gene. This translocation occurs in utero, but the disease is much less common than the prevalence of the fusion in newborns, suggesting that secondary mutations are required for overt leukemia. The role of these secondary mutations remains unclear and may contribute to treatment resistance and disease recurrence. We... -
Visible Light-Induced Specific Protein Reaction Delineates Early Stages of Cell Adhesion
Light is well-established for control of bond breakage but not for control of specific bond formation in complex environments. We previously engineered the diffusion-limited reactivity of the SpyTag003 peptide with its protein partner SpyCatcher003 through spontaneous isopeptide bond formation. This system enables precise and irreversible assembly of biological building blocks with applications from biomaterials to vaccines. Here we establish a system for the rapid control of this amide bond... -
Efficacy and Safety of an mRNA-Based RSV PreF Vaccine in Older Adults
CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of the mRNA-1345 vaccine resulted in no evident safety concerns and led to a lower incidence of RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease and of RSV-associated acute respiratory disease than placebo among adults 60 years of age or older. (Funded by Moderna; ConquerRSV ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05127434.). -
CXADR polymorphism rs6517774 modifies islet autoimmunity characteristics and exhibits sex disparity
Enteroviral infections have been linked to the development of islet autoimmunity (IA) and type 1 diabetes (T1D), and the coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CXADR) is one of the ligands used by adenoviruses and enteroviruses for cell internalization. Two CXADR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs6517774 and rs2824404, were previously associated with an increased susceptibility to IA in the international TEDDY study (The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young). This study aimed... -
Distinct transcriptomic profiles in children prior to the appearance of type 1 diabetes-linked islet autoantibodies and following enterovirus infection
Although the genetic basis and pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes have been studied extensively, how host responses to environmental factors might contribute to autoantibody development remains largely unknown. Here, we use longitudinal blood transcriptome sequencing data to characterize host responses in children within 12 months prior to the appearance of type 1 diabetes-linked islet autoantibodies, as well as matched control children. We report that children who present with insulin-specific... -
Thrombus Aspirates From Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Are Infiltrated by Viridans Streptococci
CONCLUSIONS: Oral streptococci were found in aspirated thrombi of patients with acute ischemic stroke as well as in carotid artery samples. Our results suggest that viridans streptococci group bacteria may play a role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. -
Positive Francisella tularensis meningitis outcome despite delayed identification: a case report
Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative bacteria, that may cause a zoonotic disease, tularemia. Here, we describe a patient case, where a previously healthy young woman in Northern Finland contacted health care because of fever and headache. Due to the symptoms and lack of further diagnostic tools in primary health care, she was transferred to University Hospital (UH) where ampicillin and ceftriaxone was given empirically. A cerebrospinal fluid sample (CSF) was drawn showing small... -
Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of gestational duration and spontaneous preterm birth identifies new maternal risk loci
CONCLUSION: We report novel genetic risk loci that associate with preterm birth or gestational duration, and reproduce findings from previous genome-wide association studies. Altogether, our findings provide new insight into the genetic background of preterm birth. Better characterization of the causal genetic mechanisms will be important to public health as it could suggest new strategies to treat and prevent preterm birth. -
Pleconaril and ribavirin in new-onset type 1 diabetes: a phase 2 randomized trial
Previous studies showed a low-grade enterovirus infection in the pancreatic islets of patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D). In the Diabetes Virus Detection (DiViD) Intervention, a phase 2, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel group, double-blind trial, 96 children and adolescents (aged 6-15 years) with new-onset T1D received antiviral treatment with pleconaril and ribavirin (n = 47) or placebo (n = 49) for 6 months, with the aim of preserving β cell function. The primary...
2022
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An Increase in Plasma Adipsin Levels Is Associated With Higher Cumulative Dust Exposure and Airway Obstruction in Foundry Workers
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that plasma adipsin is involved in the pathogenesis of subclinical airway inflammation and the development of chronic obstruction and is induced by occupational dust exposure. -
Editorial: JAK inhibition in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
No abstract -
Food-Grade Bacteria Combat Pathogens by Blocking AHL-Mediated Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation
Disrupting bacterial quorum sensing (QS) signaling is a promising strategy to combat pathogenic biofilms without the development of antibiotic resistance. Here, we report that food-associated bacteria can interfere with the biofilm formation of a Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium by targeting its AHL (acyl-homoserine lactone) QS system. This was demonstrated by screening metabolic end-products of different lactobacilli and propionibacteria using Gram-negative and biofilm-forming Chromobacterium... -
Phenolic Compounds Known to Be Present in Lingonberry (<em>Vaccinium vitis-idaea</em> L.) Enhance Macrophage Polarization towards the Anti-Inflammatory M2 Phenotype
Macrophages are pleiotropic immune cells whose phenotype can polarize towards the pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 direction as a response to environmental changes. In obesity, the number of macrophages in adipose tissue is enhanced, and they shift towards the M1 phenotype. Activated M1 macrophages secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines involved in the development of systemic low-grade inflammation, complicating obesity. Polyphenols are widely found in the vegetable kingdom... -
Mobile genetic elements from the maternal microbiome shape infant gut microbial assembly and metabolism
The perinatal period represents a critical window for cognitive and immune system development, promoted by maternal and infant gut microbiomes and their metabolites. Here, we tracked the co-development of microbiomes and metabolomes from late pregnancy to 1 year of age using longitudinal multi-omics data from a cohort of 70 mother-infant dyads. We discovered large-scale mother-to-infant interspecies transfer of mobile genetic elements, frequently involving genes associated with diet-related... -
Impact of Cultivation and Origin on the Fruit Microbiome of Apples and Blueberries and Implications for the Exposome
Vegetables and fruits are a crucial part of the planetary health diet, directly affecting human health and the gut microbiome. The objective of our study was to understand the variability of the fruit (apple and blueberry) microbiome in the frame of the exposome concept. The study covered two fruit-bearing woody species, apple and blueberry, two countries of origin (Austria and Finland), and two fruit production methods (naturally grown and horticultural). Microbial abundance, diversity, and... -
Association Between Blood Eosinophils and Neutrophils With Clinical Features in Adult-Onset Asthma
CONCLUSIONS: In addition to blood eosinophils, the blood neutrophil count reflects underlying inflammatory patterns and indicates important differences in asthma clinical features and outcomes. -
The Drosophila Toll Pathway in Innate Immunity: from the Core Pathway toward Effector Functions
The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster Toll signaling pathway has an evolutionarily conserved role in controlling immune responses. Whereas the microbial recognition mechanisms and the core signaling pathway leading to activation of the humoral immune response via the NF-κB transcription factors have been well established for many years, the mechanistic understanding of the effector functions at the molecular level is currently rapidly evolving. In this review, we discuss the current developments... -
Myocardial interaction of apixaban after experimental acute volume overload
CONCLUSION: Apixaban interacts with intramyocardial arteries in the left and right ventricles after AVO and ANP and MMP9 expression levels increased. Thus, the myocardial effect of Factor Xa inhibition needs to be monitored after AVO. -
The mechanical cell - the role of force dependencies in synchronising protein interaction networks
The role of mechanical signals in the proper functioning of organisms is increasingly recognised, and every cell senses physical forces and responds to them. These forces are generated both from outside the cell or via the sophisticated force-generation machinery of the cell, the cytoskeleton. All regions of the cell are connected via mechanical linkages, enabling the whole cell to function as a mechanical system. In this Review, we define some of the key concepts of how this machinery...