Article
Immunology
Karim M. Aloul, Josefine Eilso Nielsen, Erwin B. Defensor, Jennifer S. Lin, John A. Fortkort, Mehrdad Shamloo, Jeffrey D. Cirillo, Adrian F. Gombart, Annelise E. Barron
Summary: COVID-19 is characterized by an intense inflammatory response, and this paper reviews the relevance of the human cathelicidin LL-37 in SARS-CoV-2 infections. LL-37 is an immunomodulatory peptide with direct anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and pleiotropic effects on inflammation, vascularization, Lewy body formation, and pancreatic islet cell function. Upregulation of LL-37 might be beneficial in reducing the prevalence of severe COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Colm Keane, Matthew Coalter, Ignacio Martin-Loeches
Summary: The article discusses the impact of immune system imbalance in COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of over-activation of the innate immune system and apoptosis of adaptive immune cells in disease progression. It also examines the effects of NETosis on organ dysfunction in COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Ellen McKenna, Richard Wubben, Johana M. Isaza-Correa, Ashanty M. Melo, Aisling Ui Mhaonaigh, Niall Conlon, James S. O'Donnell, Cliona Ni Cheallaigh, Tim Hurley, Nigel J. Stevenson, Mark A. Little, Eleanor J. Molloy
Summary: This article discusses the immunological characteristics of severe COVID-19 patients, the antiviral and pathological roles of neutrophils in SARS-CoV-2 infection, the contribution of neutrophils to complications of COVID-19, and potential therapeutic strategies targeting neutrophil-mediated inflammatory responses in COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brandon Bautista-Becerril, Rebeca Campi-Caballero, Samuel Sevilla-Fuentes, Laura M. Hernandez-Regino, Alejandro Hanono, Al Flores-Bustamante, Julieta Gonzalez-Flores, Carlos A. Garcia-Avila, Arnoldo Aquino-Galvez, Manuel Castillejos-Lopez, Armida Juarez-Cisneros, Angel Camarena
Summary: SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, activates the innate immune response and neutrophils to form trapping mechanisms to control infections. However, in COVID-19 patients, thrombotic events and coagulation issues lead to various clinical manifestations, promoting disease severity and mortality.
Review
Immunology
Jon Hazeldine, Janet M. Lord
Summary: Approximately 20% of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 may progress to severe respiratory complications, with a hyperactive and dysregulated immune response potentially underpinning the development of severe disease, particularly through the involvement of neutrophils. Evaluating the number, maturity status and function of circulating neutrophils at hospital admission shows promise as a prognostic tool for early identification of patients at risk of clinical deterioration. Targeting neutrophils as a potential therapeutic strategy for severe COVID-19 warrants further investigation, given the limited specific treatments currently available.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jatin Narang, Samreen Jatana, Andras K. Ponti, Ryan Musich, Joshua Gallop, Angela H. H. Wei, Sokhna Seck, Jessica Johnson, Lynne Kokoczka, Amy S. S. Nowacki, Jeffrey D. D. McBride, Eduardo Mireles-Cabodevila, Steven Gordon, Kevin Cooper, Anthony P. P. Fernandez, Christine McDonald
Summary: Hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection have an increased risk of developing hospital-acquired sacral pressure injury (HASPI). COVID-19(+) patients have a higher incidence rate of HASPI, more severe ulcer stage, and a higher likelihood of requiring debridement compared to COVID-19(-) patients. Additionally, COVID-19(+) patients with HASPIs have a more severe hospitalization course. Histopathology and gene analysis show that HASPIs in COVID-19(+) patients exhibit thrombotic vasculopathy and abnormal thrombosis. Immunologic dysregulation secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection may play a pathogenic role in the development of HASPIs in severe COVID-19 patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paula Gonzalez-Jimenez, Raul Mendez, Ana Latorre, Monica Piqueras, Maria Nieves Balaguer-Cartagena, Antonio Moscardo, Ricardo Alonso, David Hervas, Soledad Reyes, Rosario Menendez
Summary: The role of NETs and platelet activation in COVID-19 is not well known. This study aimed to evaluate their impact on clinical trajectories. The levels of cfDNA, CitH3, and P-selectin were found to be associated with disease severity and analytical parameters. Higher levels of CitH3 and P-selectin increased the risk of transitioning from the emergency department to the ICU, while higher levels of P-selectin increased the risk of transitioning from the ward to death. Elevated levels of CitH3, cfDNA, and P-selectin decreased the probability of transitioning from the ward to discharge. These findings suggest that NETs and P-selectin levels can be useful in predicting different clinical trajectories.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Quiyana M. Murphy, Stanca M. Ciupe
Summary: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 leads to varied clinical outcomes, and chronic inflammation and tissue injury caused by the virus contribute to disease progression. A mathematical model of innate immunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection was developed to investigate the role of tissue damage in immune response. The model was fitted to immune marker data from COVID-19 patients and used to suggest necessary changes for immune resolution.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kamonthip Rungrojcharoenkit, Rungarun Suthangkornkul, Darunee Utennam, Darunee Buddhari, Soontorn Pinpaiboon, Duangrat Mongkolsirichaikul, Stefan Fernandez, Anthony R. Jones, Thomas S. Cotrone, Taweewun Hunsawong
Summary: RT-PCR is the gold standard method for diagnosing COVID-19, but additional diagnostic tests are needed. We developed in-house anti-RBD IgG and IgA ELISAs for screening and identifying SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our in-house ELISAs showed high sensitivity and specificity, and were comparable to other commercial ELISAs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Feng Xie, Peng Su, Ting Pan, Xiaoxue Zhou, Heyu Li, Huizhe Huang, Aijun Wang, Fangwei Wang, Jun Huang, Haiyan Yan, Linghui Zeng, Long Zhang, Fangfang Zhou
Summary: ACE2 plays a key role in the interaction with SARS-CoV-2, and its levels in extracellular vesicles are regulated by protein palmitoylation. Modifying ACE2 with palmitoylation affects its membrane-targeting and secretion in EVs, showing potential for neutralizing SARS-CoV-2.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Velia Veronica Rangel-Ramirez, Karen Alondra Macias-Pina, Roberto Raul Servin-Garrido, David R. de Alba-Aguayo, Leticia Moreno-Fierros, Nestor Rubio-Infante
Summary: The study found that the seroprevalence of IgA in COVID-19 PCR (+) confirmed patients was 86.47%, with IgA possibly being detectable on the first days of infection and up to 75 days later. Additionally, IgA production was observed to be stronger in severe patients compared to mild or asymptomatic patients.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sarah Louise Murphy, Bente Halvorsen, Jan Cato Holter, Camilla Huse, Anders Tveita, Marius Troseid, Hedda Hoel, Anders Benjamin Kildal, Aleksander Rygh Holten, Tori Vigeland Lerum, Ole Henning Skjonsberg, Annika E. Michelsen, Trond M. Aalokken, Kristian Tonby, Andreas Lind, Susanne Dudman, Beathe Kiland Granerud, Lars Heggelund, Simen Boe, Anne Ma Dyrholt-Riise, Pal Aukrust, Andreas Barratt-Due, Thor Ueland, Tuva Borresdatter Dahl
Summary: This study investigates the role of ECM remodeling and excessive fibrogenesis in severe COVID-19. The findings demonstrate that certain ECM mediators such as OPN, S100A12, and YKL-40 are closely associated with disease severity and mortality. High levels of ECM mediators during hospitalization are related to thorax pathology after 3 months. In vitro experiments also show the release of certain markers (such as growth differentiation factor 15, galectin 3, and matrix metalloproteinase 9) from macrophages and lung cell lines after exposure to inactivated SARS-CoV-2, indicating a direct link between these mediators and the causal agent of COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Nappi, Omar Giacinto, Omar Ellouze, Antonio Nenna, Sanjeet Singh Avtaar Singh, Massimo Chello, Assine Bouzguenda, Xavier Copie
Summary: This review assesses the association between COVID-19 and thrombotic complications related to the cardiovascular system. It explores the role of the virus in the disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic avenues.
Article
Cell Biology
Hui Shi, Yu Zuo, Srilakshmi Yalavarthi, Kelsey Gockman, Melanie Zuo, Jacqueline A. Madison, Christopher N. Blair, Wrenn Woodard, Sean P. Lezak, Njira L. Lugogo, Robert J. Woods, Christian Lood, Jason S. Knight, Yogendra Kanthi
Summary: Elevated levels of calprotectin in COVID-19 patients are closely related to disease severity and respiratory status, serving as a potential predictor for patients requiring mechanical ventilation.
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Jean-Philippe Desilles, Mialitiana Solo Nomenjanahary, Arturo Consoli, Veronique Ollivier, Dorothee Faille, Marie-Charlotte Bourrienne, Mylene Hamdani, Sebastien Dupont, Lucas Di Meglio, Simon Escalard, Benjamin Maier, Raphael Blanc, Michel Piotin, Bertrand Lapergue, Nadine Ajzenberg, Marc Vasse, Mikael Mazighi, Benoit Ho-Tin-Noe
Summary: The study reveals that COVID-19 does not affect the content of NETs or worsens the fibrinolysis resistance of AIS thrombi. The therapeutic hurdle can be overcome by DNase 1, even in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lidia Almenara-Fuentes, Silvia Rodriguez-Fernandez, Estela Rosell-Mases, Katerina Kachler, Axel You, Miriam Salvado, Darja Andreev, Ulrike Steffen, Holger Bang, Aline Bozec, Georg Schett, Rozen Le Panse, Joan Verdaguer, Marti Dalmases, Silvia Rodriguez-Vidal, Bruna Barneda-Zahonero, Marta Vives-Pi
Summary: This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of using phosphatidylserine (PS)-liposomes encapsulating autoantigens to treat various autoimmune diseases. These specific PS-liposomes have shown preventive and therapeutic efficacy in restoring self-tolerance and immunoregulation.
NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Julia Elrod, Antonia Kiwit, Moritz Lenz, Holger Rohde, Daniela Boernigen, Malik Alawi, Christoph Mohr, Laia Pagerols Raluy, Magdalena Trochimiuk, Jasmin Knopf, Konrad Reinshagen, Martin Herrmann, Michael Boettcher
Summary: This study evaluated the septic volvulus ischemia-reperfusion model and compared it to two established models in mice sepsis. The results showed that midgut volvulus for 15 minutes caused a comparable mortality rate as the other two models, and at 48 hours, there was a decrease in circulating free DNA levels and an increase in bacterial translocation to the spleen/liver and lungs. In addition, DNases were increased in this model compared to the established models. Proteomic analysis revealed an upregulation of several markers of inflammation and tissue damage at 48 hours. Overall, this study demonstrates that midgut volvulus is a stable and physiological model for studying sepsis.
Article
Rheumatology
Maria Sokolova, Fabian Hartmann, Daniela Sieghart, Holger Bang, Guenter Steiner, Arnd Kleyer, Georg Schett, Ulrike Steffen
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the events triggering disease outbreak in individuals at-risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA at-risk) and the role of different isotypes of anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) in this process. Serum levels of IgA1 and IgA2 ACPA were measured, and it was found that approximately two-thirds of at-risk individuals tested positive for IgA1 and IgA2 ACPA, with IgA1 ACPA being associated with the progression to RA. The decline in serum IgA1 ACPA levels before the onset of RA may indicate starting barrier leakiness prior to disease outbreak.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeeshan Singh, Michael Boettcher, Maximilian Doelling, Annika Heuer, Bettina Hohberger, Moritz Leppkes, Elisabeth Naschberger, Mirco Schapher, Christine Schauer, Janina Schoen, Michael Stuerzl, Ljubomir Vitkov, Han Wang, Leticija Zlatar, Georg A. Schett, David S. Pisetsky, Ming-Lin Liu, Martin Herrmann, Jasmin Knopf
Summary: Extracellular chromatin, particularly in the form of NETs, plays a crucial role in the progression of various diseases. It functions as a driver of the interferon system, autoantigen, and scaffold for innate immune system proteins. Insufficient clearance of extruded chromatin can contribute to immune-inflammatory and occlusive disorders. This article discusses the cellular events involved in extracellular chromatin release and NET formation, the negative consequences of dysregulated NET formation, and the imbalance between NET formation and clearance. It also explores the role of NET formation in various diseases and injuries, highlighting the importance of targeting chromatin decondensation pathways and promoting extracellular chromatin clearance for effective therapies.
CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Han Wang, Antonia Margarethe Stehr, Jeeshan Singh, Leticija Zlatar, Arndt Hartmann, Katja Evert, Elisabeth Naschberger, Saskia von Stillfried, Peter Boor, Luis E. E. Munoz, Jasmin Knopf, Michael Stuerzl, Martin Herrmann
Summary: During inflammatory responses, neutrophils utilize various defense mechanisms, such as phagocytosis, degranulation, recruitment of immune cells, secretion of anti-microbials, and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Detection of NETs in tissue sections can be challenging due to the high fluorescence signals emitted from condensed nuclear DNA. However, using anti-DNA-IgM antibodies can effectively detect the extended DNA patches of NETs, providing a new perspective for studying neutrophil-associated immune reactions in diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ljubomir Vitkov, Jeeshan Singh, Christine Schauer, Bernd Minnich, Jelena Krunic, Hannah Oberthaler, Sonja Gamsjaeger, Martin Herrmann, Jasmin Knopf, Matthias Hannig
Summary: The break of the epithelial barrier of gingiva has been a neglected topic despite its significant role in periodontal pathology and transitory bacteraemia. Mechanically induced bacterial translocation in gingiva has been disregarded despite the knowledge of mechanical force effects on tight junctions in other epithelial tissues. In this review, the bacterial, immune, and mechanical factors responsible for the increased permeability and break of the epithelial barrier of inflamed gingiva are discussed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Xue Cao, Yanhong Li, Yubin Luo, Tianshu Chu, Hang Yang, Ji Wen, Yi Liu, Yi Zhao, Martin Herrmann
Summary: The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) plays a role in infection-related and sterile inflammation. Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals are involved in various diseases as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). The study demonstrates that the ROS-sensing channel TRPM2 is necessary for MSU crystal-induced NET formation and TRPM2 knockout leads to reduced inflammation. This indicates that TRPM2 could be a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Julia Elrod, Moritz Lenz, Antonia Kiwit, Lina Armbrust, Lavinia Schoenfeld, Konrad Reinshagen, Laia Pagerols Raluy, Christoph Mohr, Ceren Saygi, Malik Alawi, Holger Rohde, Martin Herrmann, Michael Boettcher
Summary: Through optimizing a murine scald model, this study investigated the immune responses to heat induced injury. The study identified the roles of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and DNases in the therapy of burns. It also evaluated the effects of different exposure times on extracellular matrix.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Elnaz Payani, Dionysios Koliogiannis, Markus Bo Schoenberg, Dominik Koch, Daniela Eser-Valeri, Gerald Denk, Markus Rehm, Simon Schaefer, Ursula Ehmer, Andreas E. Kremer, Bruno Meiser, Jens Werner, Markus Guba, Nikolaus Boerner
Summary: This observational study examines the characteristics and survival of patients who are removed from the liver transplant waiting list. The findings indicate that assessing post-delisting survival and closely monitoring delisted patients are crucial for improving the survival rate of liver failure patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Leticija Zlatar, Thomas Timm, Gunter Lochnit, Rostyslav Bilyy, Tobias Baeuerle, Marco Munoz-Becerra, Georg Schett, Jasmin Knopf, Jens Heichel, Mohammad Javed Ali, Mirco Schapher, Friedrich Paulsen, Martin Herrmann
Summary: Mucopeptide concretions, also known as dacryoliths, are macroscopic stones that commonly block the lacrimal sac. The mechanisms behind their formation are unclear, but various immune cells, including neutrophils, have been confirmed to be involved. This study investigates the role of neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in dacryolithiasis using multiple analysis methods, and proposes a mechanism for the formation and growth of mucopeptide concretions involving neutrophils and NETs.