Review
Oncology
Md Ashik Ullah, Fabienne Mackay
Summary: B cell-activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, playing crucial roles in immune homeostasis and driving pathogenesis in autoimmunity and cancer. High levels of BAFF, APRIL, and their receptors are associated with disease severity and treatment response in different cancers. This review discusses the role of the BAFF-APRIL system in immune cell differentiation and tolerance, its pathogenic functions in hematological and solid cancers, and highlights emerging therapeutics targeting this system in various cancer types.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ling-ling Zhang, Hui Xiao, Feng Zhang, Yu-jing Wu, Jin-ling Shu, Ying Li, Yu Tai, Sheng-qian Xu, Jian-hua Xu, Wei Wei
Summary: The study found that the serum BAFF level is significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and is positively correlated with clinical variables, laboratory parameters, and X-ray scores. BAFF is involved in the differentiation, proliferation, and activation of B cells in rheumatoid arthritis through the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Borja Hernandez-Breijo, Ioannis Parodis, Marta Novella-Navarro, Ana Martinez-Feito, Victoria Navarro-Compan, Mariana Diaz-Almiron, Dora Pascual-Salcedo, Alejandro Balsa, Chamaida Plasencia-Rodriguez
Summary: This study found that serum BAFF concentrations are associated with response to TNF inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis patients, highlighting the importance of B-cells in RA.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sophie Stephenson, Matthew A. Care, Gina M. Doody, Reuben M. Tooze
Summary: This study explores the role of APRIL in human plasmablasts and finds that APRIL can promote plasma cell maturation and longevity. APRIL achieves this through the regulation of multiple signaling pathways and transcriptional responses, sharing some similarities with CD4OL but also showing distinct differences.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yasuhiro Shimojima, Dai Kishida, Takanori Ichikawa, Ryota Takamatsu, Shun Nomura, Yoshiki Sekijima
Summary: The features of circulating B cells in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) were investigated. It was found that the proportion of B cells increased, expression of BAFF receptor decreased, and expression of TACI increased in AAV patients. Additionally, serum levels of BAFF and APRIL were elevated. These abnormalities persisted even in the remission phase of AAV, suggesting that abnormal signaling of BAFF and APRIL may contribute to disease relapse.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Sha Tian, Kun Chen, Jianjiang Xiao, Di Wang, Xian Zhou, Xiangyu Li, Huimin Shi, Yi Li, Xia Cao, Ming Guan, Bobin Chen, Qingping Wang
Summary: This study analyzed the levels of APRIL and BAFF in the aqueous humor of patients with VRL, uveitis, and other ocular diseases, demonstrating the potential of APRIL as a diagnostic biomarker for distinguishing VRL from uveitis. The study also highlighted the important role of APRIL and BAFF in therapeutic monitoring of VRL.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Wael Alturaiki, Ayman Mubarak, Sajad Ahmad Mir, Adnan Afridi, Mariappan Premanathan, Suresh Mickymaray, Rajendran Vijayakumar, Suliman A. Alsagaby, Sami G. Almalki, Fayez Alghofaili, Ahmad K. Alnemare, Brian F. Flanagan
Summary: BAFF and APRIL are closely related to the pathogenesis of asthma, with increased plasma levels observed in patients along with elevated IgE. Additionally, the expression of BAFF-R and BCMA is significantly higher in asthma patients compared to healthy controls, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for monitoring asthma and treatment response.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hindi E. Stohl, William Stohl
Summary: This study found differential regulation of BAFF and APRIL in mothers during and after pregnancy, while both were upregulated in the developing fetus. The results suggest that the third-trimester serum BAFF level may serve as a biomarker for preeclampsia.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Roswitha Dietzel, Sabine Wiegmann, Diana Borucki, Christian Detzer, Kim Nikola Zeiner, Desiree Schaumburg, Bjoern Buehring, Frank Buttgereit, Gabriele Armbrecht
Summary: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chronic inflammation can lead to muscle depletion. The study found that sarcopenia is more common in RA patients and is associated with factors such as body weight, BMI, inflammation markers, and disease duration.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ewa Zelnio, Mihra Taljanovic, Malgorzata Manczak, Iwona Sudol-Szopinska
Summary: The hand and wrist are frequently involved in rheumatic diseases, and this study aimed to identify the distinguishing radiographic characteristics of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and seronegative RA, especially in the early stages. The analysis of radiographic hand findings on 180 seropositive RA patients, 154 PsA patients, and 36 seronegative RA patients revealed that symmetric distribution of lesions was more suggestive of seropositive or seronegative RA, while lesions affecting PIP joints, wrist, or styloid process of the radius were more common in patients with seropositive RA. PsA was more likely to be suggested by DIP joints' involvement and proliferative bone changes. Furthermore, there were differences in the types of bone lesions and their distribution between seropositive RA, seronegative RA, and PsA, with ulnar styloid involvement more commonly seen in seronegative RA patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Farzin Khosrow-Khavar, Seoyoung C. Kim, Hemin Lee, Su Been Lee, Rishi J. Desai
Summary: The study did not find evidence of increased cardiovascular risk with tofacitinib in patients with RA in a real-world setting. However, tofacitinib was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes, although statistically non-significant, in patients with RA with cardiovascular risk factors.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Merel A. A. Opdam, Sophie Benoy, Lise M. Verhoef, Sandra Van Bijnen, Femke Lamers-Karnebeek, Rene A. M. Traksel, Petra Vos, Alfons A. den Broeder, Jasper Broen
Summary: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases do not have an increased risk for COVID-19 compared to the general population. Older age and obesity are major risk factors for hospitalization for COVID-19 in patients with IRD, while the use of methotrexate may have a protective effect in reducing the risk of hospitalization.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Susan J. Keam
Summary: Ozoralizumab (Nanozora (R)), a trivalent anti-TNF alpha NANOBODY (R) compound, has gained approval in Japan for the treatment of inadequately managed rheumatoid arthritis. This article provides an overview of the development milestones leading to this approval, including its development by Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chen Ma, Jie Wang, Fenfang Hong, Shulong Yang
Summary: This article reviews the methods, effects, etiology, and pathology of mitochondrial dysfunction leading to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It also outlines drugs that can be used to treat RA by modulating mitochondrial activity. Understanding and summarizing mitochondrial dysfunction in RA may provide new research directions for intervening and preventing the disease.
Article
Biology
Maria Antonella Zingaropoli, Patrizia Pasculli, Matteo Tartaglia, Federica Dominelli, Federica Ciccone, Ambra Taglietti, Valentina Perri, Leonardo Malimpensa, Gina Ferrazzano, Marco Iannetta, Cosmo Del Borgo, Miriam Lichtner, Claudio Maria Mastroianni, Antonella Conte, Maria Rosa Ciardi
Summary: In ocrelizumab-treated people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), an increase in infectious events is associated with higher levels of BAFF. Therefore, BAFF may serve as a marker for immune dysfunction and infectious risk.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jamshid Gholizadeh Navashenaq, Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah, Esmat Alsadat Hashemi, Mir Hadi Seyedzadeh, Fazel Shokri, Seyed Alireza Razavi, Gholam Ali Kardar
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS
(2019)
Article
Rheumatology
Maryam Hemmatzadeh, Farhad Babaie, Fatemeh Ezzatifar, Fatemeh S. Mohammadi, Mehrdad Ebrazeh, Shirin Golabi Aghdam, Mehrzad Hajaliloo, Gholamreza Azizi, Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah, Naiibeh Shekari, Nasrin Sehati, Ramin Hosseinzadeh, Hamed Mohammadi, Zohreh Babaloo
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2019)
Review
Cell Biology
Arash Salmaninejad, Saeed Farajzadeh Valilou, Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah, Saeed Aslani, Malihe Alimardani, Alireza Pasdar, Amirhossein Sahebkar
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah, Zhaleh Shariati-Sarabi, Jalil Tavakkol-Afshari, Ali Ghasemi, Mohsen Ghoryani, Mojgan Mohammadi
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maryam Dashtiahangar, Leila Rahbarnia, Safar Farajnia, Arash Salmaninejad, Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah, Samaneh Ghasemali
Summary: Recombinant immunotoxins (RITs) have revolutionized cancer treatment by targeting and eliminating cancerous cells through the fusion of antibodies to toxin proteins. However, high immunogenicity remains a major obstacle in clinical use, and various strategies have been proposed to address this limitation.
CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL DESIGN
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah, Fatemeh Ezzatifar, Surendar Aravindhan, Angelina Olegovna Zekiy, Majid Ahmadi, Seyed Mohammad Gheibihayat, Jamshid Gholizadeh Navashenaq
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression is influenced by complex molecular pathways. Midkine (MDK) plays a crucial role in HCC, impacting tumor cell viability and promoting metastasis by blocking anoikis. Its involvement in inflammatory responses and angiogenesis makes MDK a potential biomarker and target for therapy in HCC management.
Article
Neurosciences
Houshang Rafatpanah, Zohreh Poursina, Reza Boostani, Hadi Zare Marzouni, Mahdi Atabaki, Reza Farid Hosseini, Jalil Tavakkol-Afshari, Mojgan Mohammadi
Summary: Our study found a significant association between the CXCL10-1447 and IL-18-607 gene polymorphisms with HAM-TSP in the Mashhad population, suggesting they could serve as valuable predictors for disease severity. However, there was no significant association observed between the FAS-670, Foxp3-3279, and IL-18-137 gene polymorphisms and HAM-TSP. The discrepancy regarding the IL-18-607 gene polymorphism may be influenced by factors such as genotypic frequencies in different races and population heterogeneity in Mashhad.
JOURNAL OF NEUROVIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mehdi Barati, Farshad Mirzavi, Amin Reza Nikpoor, Mojtaba Sankian, Hasan Namdar Ahmadabad, Anvar Soleimani, Mohammad Mashreghi, Jalil Tavakol Afshar, Mojgan Mohammadi, Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
Summary: The study successfully developed liposomal siRNA as a carrier to target PD-1 expression in T cells, showing promising antitumor efficacy in vivo.
CANCER GENE THERAPY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah, Azwar Amir, Zhanna R. Gardanova, Angelina Olegovna Zekiy, Lakshmi Thangavelu, Maryam Ebrahimi Nik, Majid Ahmadi, Jamshid Gholizadeh Navashenaq
Summary: Imbalance of immune cell-derived factors like cytokines and chemokines play a central role in cancer progression. IL-25, a member of the IL-17 cytokine subfamily, has a dual role in cancer, serving both tumor supportive and tumor suppressive functions. Understanding the role of IL-25 and its receptor can aid in using IL-25 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in cancer, as well as exploring IL-25-based therapeutic approaches for cancer inhibition.
Article
Rheumatology
Mohammad Hassan Jokar, Bita Baghbani, Kiarash Roustai Geraylow, Jaleh Shariati, Hassan Mehrad-Majd, Zahra Mirfeizi, Kamila Hashemzadeh
Summary: This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of local injections of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in improving the symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) secondary to scleroderma. The results showed that BTX-A had a significant positive effect on pain severity, Raynaud's condition score, and the number of Raynaud's attacks. The improvements in pain severity, paresthesia, Raynaud's condition score, number of ulcers, ulcer diameter, and upper extremity function were significantly greater in the BTX-A group compared to the placebo group over time.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah, Zhaleh Shariati-Sarabi, Jalil Tavakkol-Afshari, Mohsen Ghoryani, Mojgan Mohammadi
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MEDICINE
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abbas Shapouri-Moghaddam, Mojgan Mohammadi, Hamid Reza Rahimi, Habibolah Esmaeili, Mahmoud Mahmoudi, Mohammad-Hadi Saeed Modaghegh, Jalil Tavakol Afshari
REPORTS OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Amirabbas Salmani, Mojgan Mohammadi, Reza Farid Hosseini, Jalil Tavakol Afshari, Ali Fouladvand, Sajad Dehnavi, Maryam Khoshkhooi, Farahzad Jabbari Azad
IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohammad Mahdi Hayatbakhsh, Arezoo Gowhari Shabgah, Saeed Pishgouyi, Jalil Tavakol Afshari, Hadi Zeidabadi, Mojgan Mohammadi
REPORTS OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2019)