Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isma Gul, Saima Kausar, Qiuxiang You, Wei Sun, Zekun Li, Muhammad Nadeem Abbas, Hongjuan Cui
Summary: The Nimrod family genes play a crucial role in host defense by positively regulating the antibacterial immune response in silkworm B. mori. Knockdown of BmDraper decreased bacterial clearance and increased replication, contributing to increased mortality rates, while knockdown of BmNimrod-B had no significant effect on these outcomes. The genes did not significantly affect the production of antimicrobial peptides following E. coli infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Kevin Schneider, Sanja Arandjelovic
Summary: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects about 1% of the human population. It is characterized by joint swelling and bone erosion, causing disability and even death. Immune dysregulation, including circulating autoantibodies and inflammatory mediators, plays an important role in the development of RA. Studies have shown that inducing cell death through apoptosis can reduce the severity of the disease. Apoptotic cells are cleared by phagocytes through a process called efferocytosis, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Dysfunctions in efferocytosis have been linked to autoimmune diseases, while administration of apoptotic cells in RA models effectively inhibits inflammation. However, the signaling pathways and clearance mediators involved in RA are still not well understood.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Tamas Roeszer
Summary: The safe removal of apoptotic cells by macrophages is crucial for tissue health, but in the case of adipocyte apoptosis, the clearance process can lead to inflammation and metabolic diseases. Metabolites released by apoptotic cells and produced by macrophages during digestion of apoptotic cells control macrophage immune functions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sho Morioka, Daiki Kajioka, Yusuke Yamaoka, Rochelle M. Ellison, Turan Tufan, Inge L. Werkman, Shinji Tanaka, Brady Barron, Satoshi T. Ito, Sarah Kucenas, Mark D. Okusa, Kodi S. Ravichandran
Summary: Defects in efferocytosis are linked to inflammatory diseases. A strategy called chimeric receptor for efferocytosis (CHEF) is designed to boost efferocytosis and reduce inflammation.
Article
Immunology
Xue Liu, Ling-Yuan Zhang, Yu-Ge Zhang, Ting-Hong Duan, Yi Ding, Cai-long Pan, Lu Xu, Cheng Qian, Min Ni, Zhi-Yuan Zhang
Summary: Systemic immune activation and excessive inflammatory response, induced by intestinal barrier damage, are the major characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Activating the homodimeric erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) can alleviate colitis in mice, promote the clearance of apoptotic cells in macrophages, and facilitate the expression of phagocytosis- and tissue-repair-related factors, providing a new mechanism for understanding pathological progression and a novel potential therapeutic target for colitis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ning Gao, Qian Zheng, Yanzhe Wang, Xiaowen Li, Zhi Li, Hui Xiao
Summary: Apoptotic cell clearance is a complex process involving the recognition, engulfment, and digestion of apoptotic cells by phagocytes. This study found that Wun2 collaborates with Rip11 and Rab11 to regulate the maintenance of engulfment receptors at the cell membrane, thereby mediating efficient efferocytosis.
CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xue Qiao, Conghui Liu, Weilin Wang, Chuanyan Yang, Meijia Li, Qilin Yi, Ning Kong, Limei Qiu, Xiyang Liu, Lingling Wang, Linsheng Song
Summary: Neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAMs) are large cell-surface glycoproteins that play important roles in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions in the nervous system. A recent study identified a homologue of NCAM (CgNCAM) in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. CgNCAM was found to be widely distributed in oyster tissues, particularly in the mantle, labial palp, and haemolymph. It showed increased expression in oyster haemocytes after stimulation with Vibrio splendidus and Staphylococcus aureus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Samy Dufour, Pascale Tacnet-Delorme, Jean-Philippe Kleman, Oleksandr Glushonkov, Nicole Thielens, Dominique Bourgeois, Philippe Frachet
Summary: CD47 serves as a "don't eat-me" signal to protect viable cells from phagocytosis by macrophages. Apoptosis induces changes in the plasma membrane, which leads to exposure of "eat-me" signals such as phosphatidylserine and calreticulin. This study uses imaging techniques to investigate how the distribution of these molecules on the cell surface correlates with plasma membrane alteration, SIRP alpha binding, and cell engulfment.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Patrick B. Ampomah, Bishuang Cai, Santosh R. Sukka, Brennan D. Gerlach, Arif Yurdagul, Xiaobo Wang, George Kuriakose, Lancia N. F. Darville, Yan Sun, Simone Sidoli, John M. Koomen, Alan R. Tall, Ira Tabas
Summary: This study demonstrates that methionine derived from apoptotic cells taken up by macrophages during efferocytosis plays a role in mediating tissue resolution by providing a substrate for DNA methylation and repressing the expression of the ERK1/2 phosphatase Dusp4, leading to activation of ERK1/2 and the expression of pro-resolving mediators.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Yao Guo, Hui Chen, Qiang-Jun Wang, Xin Qi, Qin Li, Wei Fu, Jie Huang, Chun-Yan Yao, Zhong-Ying Liu, Mei-Zhi Wang, Lei An, Jian-Hui Tian, Zhong-Hong Wu
Summary: The study found that melatonin can accelerate germ cell apoptosis, spermatogenic cell regeneration, and testicular weight recovery, by enhancing the phagocytotic activity of Sertoli cells and promoting spermatogenic cell regeneration to accelerate testicular recovery after heat stress.
Review
Oncology
Anneloes van Duijn, Sjoerd H. Van der Burg, Ferenc A. Scheeren
Summary: This article focuses on the interactions between myeloid immune cells and anti-tumor immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. Blocking the CD47/SIRP alpha axis can enhance adaptive immune response. The potential therapeutic role of CD47/SIRP alpha axis is discussed in tumors with acquired resistance to classic immunotherapy.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Imke Liebold, Amirah Al Jawazneh, Madeleine Hamley, Lidia Bosurgi
Summary: This review discusses how differences in the nature of dying cells and the usage of phagocytic receptors on macrophages may contribute to the transcriptional and functional heterogeneity observed in phagocytic cells in the tissue.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yu-Chieh Lin, Wen-Hui Tsai, Shao-Chi Chang, Hui-Chi Hsu
Summary: Membranous CD14 plays a crucial role in the phagocytic activity of neutrophils. This study investigates the role of CD14(+) microparticles derived from apoptotic neutrophils during the phagocytic process. It is found that CD14(+)apo-MP derived from apoptotic ATRA-NB4 cells promotes the phagocytic activity of viable ATRA-NB4 cells.
Article
Biology
Hyeogsun Kwon, Mubasher Mohammed, Oscar Franzen, Johan Ankarklev, Ryan C. Smith
Summary: This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize mosquito immune cells, revealing a greater complexity in subtypes compared to previous definitions. Functional assays and gene-silencing experiments identified markers for accurately distinguishing immune cell subtypes and provided evidence for immune cell maturation and differentiation. These findings lay a solid foundation for future studies on mosquito immune cell biology and are a valuable resource for comparative invertebrate immunology.
Review
Cell Biology
Sarah Colon-Plaza, Tin Tin Su
Summary: This mini-review presents non-apoptotic roles of apoptotic caspases in cells, using examples observed in the nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster. It also discusses the mechanisms by which apoptotic caspase activity is constrained to provide non-lethal functions without causing cell death.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hibiki Nakagawa, Junpei Kuroda, Toshihiro Aramaki, Shigeru Kondo
Summary: Actinotrichia play a crucial role in the formation of fish caudal fins by providing physical support in the dorsal-ventral direction. Lack of actinotrichia results in disordered fin tip shape and oval-shaped fish body.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yusuke Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Osanai, Yuki Tanaka, Shotaro Hiramatsu, Hikari Matsumoto, Kensuke Tagahara, Hirotaka Hosono, Shun Miyamoto, Shun Kondo, Takahiro Kanbara, Yoshihito Nakashima, Hiroshi Asano, Masayoshi Ajioka
Summary: Selecting patients for cryoablation based on contrast-enhanced CT findings improves the procedure's success rates and reduces the recurrence of AF.
JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Manabu Yamasaki, Norie Matsuda, Kazuaki Matoba, Saki Kondo, Yumi Kanegae, Izumu Saito, Akio Nomoto
Summary: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the cause of chronic liver disease, and novel anti-HBV drugs are needed as current therapy cannot completely cure HBV. The compound N-(4-Nitrophenyl)-1-phenylethanone hydrazone (ANPH) has been identified as a potential inhibitor of HBV genome replication, providing a new structural scaffold for drug design and chemical probes for HBV core protein functions.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Shin Kondo, Tatsuro Inoue, Takahiro Yoshida, Takashi Saito, Seiya Inoue, Takeshi Nishino, Masakazu Goto, Nori Sato, Rei Ono, Akira Tangoku, Shinsuke Katoh
Summary: The preoperative 6-minute walk distance is associated with long-term prognosis in patients undergoing esophagectomy. Patients with shorter walk distances had lower 5-year overall survival and relapse-free survival rates after surgery.
Article
Microbiology
Heloise Rytter, Anne Jamet, Jason Ziveri, Elodie Ramond, Mathieu Coureuil, Pauline Lagouge-Roussey, Daniel Euphrasie, Fabiola Tros, Nicolas Goudin, Cerina Chhuon, Ivan Nemazanyy, Fabricio Edgar de Moraes, Carlos Labate, Ida Chiara Guerrera, Alain Charbit
Summary: Metabolic pathways are crucial to the virulence of pathogenic bacteria and potential targets for antibacterial interventions. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) plays a key role in the intracellular survival of Francisella novicida, connecting with multiple other metabolic networks. Proteomics and metabolomics analyses show that PPP is a major hub linking glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acid degradation, and sulfur metabolism, highlighting its importance in Francisella's pathogenesis and growth.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alexia L. Carboni, Mark A. Hanson, Scott A. Lindsay, Steven A. Wasserman, Bruno Lemaitre
Summary: Cecropins are small helical secreted peptides with antimicrobial activity that play an important role in host defense. Experimental studies have shown that Cecropins play a role in defense against Gram-negative bacteria and fungi in fruit flies.
Article
Immunology
Elodie Ramond, Agathe Lepissier, Xiongqi Ding, Clemence Bouvier, Xin Tan, Daniel Euphrasie, Pierre Monbernard, Marion Dupuis, Bruno Saubamea, Ivan Nemazanyy, Xavier Nassif, Agnes Ferroni, Isabelle Sermet-Gaudelus, Alain Charbit, Mathieu Coureuil, Anne Jamet
Summary: This study investigates the role of persistent Staphylococcus aureus clones in cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. The results suggest that the lung-adapted variants of S. aureus may promote inflammation and contribute to the progression of chronic lung disease.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florent Masson, Samuel Rommelaere, Fanny Schupfer, Jean-Philippe Boquete, Bruno Lemaitre
Summary: The abundance and amino acid composition of a protein called Spiralin B (SpiB) plays a crucial role in the nutritional interactions between insects and their endosymbionts. Increasing SpiB levels disrupts the localization of endosymbionts in insect eggs and decreases vertical transmission. This protein ensures the durability of the interaction in a variable environment.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biology
M. A. Hanson, S. Kondo, B. Lemaitre
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play a crucial role in defending against infection in plants and animals. A study on Drosophila has revealed that the Drosocin gene encodes two prominent host defense peptides with different specificities against distinct pathogens.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Mark Hanson, Bruno Lemaitre
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are host-encoded antibiotics that not only combat invading pathogens, but also have roles in neurological contexts. The evolutionary history of Baramicin genes reveals how they have adapted for either immune-specific or neurological roles, providing a case study for how AMP-encoding genes might play dual roles in both immune and non-immune processes via their multiple peptide products.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maayan Zohar-Fux, Aya Ben-Hamo-Arad, Tal Arad, Marina Volin, Boris Shklyar, Ketty Hakim-Mishnaevski, Lilach Porat-Kuperstein, Estee Kurant, Hila Toledano
Summary: This study reveals that in Drosophila testes, cyst cells play an active role in phagoptosis by removing viable progenitor germ cells through a specific sequence of events involving endosomes and lysosomes.
Article
Cell Biology
Mark A. Hanson, Bruno Lemaitre
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play important roles in host defense and have been implicated in the clearance of aberrant cells and neurodegenerative syndromes. AMPs are produced in Drosophila downstream of Toll and Imd NF-κB pathways and have antimicrobial properties. Aging leads to upregulation of AMPs, potentially contributing to age-associated inflammatory diseases. However, the individual effects of AMPs on lifespan have been inconclusive. In this study, the researchers found no significant effect of individual AMPs on lifespan, except for Defensin. However, flies lacking seven AMP gene families displayed a reduced lifespan due to microbiome dysbiosis, and germ-free conditions extended their lifespan. Overall, AMPs collectively impact lifespan by preventing dysbiosis during aging.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Malak Ayoub, Li-mor David, Boris Shklyar, Ketty Hakim-Mishnaevski, Estee Kurant
Summary: Glial phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons is crucial for the development and function of the central nervous system. In Drosophila, the fibroblast growth factor receptor Heartless (Htl) and its ligand Pyramus play an essential role in the formation of glial extensions, which in turn affect the phagocytic ability of glial cells later on. Reduction in Htl pathway activity disrupts the branching morphology of glial cells, impairing their ability to engulf apoptotic neurons. This study highlights the importance of Htl signaling in glial subcellular morphogenesis and the establishment of glial phagocytic ability.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. A. Hanson, L. Grollmus, B. Lemaitre
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides, encoded by the host, play a crucial role in combating pathogens and shaping the microbiome in plants and animals. This study focuses on the Diptericin antimicrobial peptide family of Diptera and reveals the specific roles of DptA and DptB in Drosophila melanogaster, demonstrating how they interact with different bacteria. The findings also highlight the correlation between the presence of DptA- or DptB-like genes and the presence of specific bacteria across Diptera.
