Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachel M. Kratofil, Hanjoo B. Shim, Raymond Shim, Woo Yong Lee, Elodie Labit, Sarthak Sinha, Catherine M. Keenan, Bas G. J. Surewaard, Ji Yeon Noh, Yuxiang Sun, Keith A. Sharkey, Matthias Mack, Jeff Biernaskie, Justin F. Deniset, Paul Kubes
Summary: During infection, monocytes and neutrophils are recruited to the infected tissue, but they have different functions. Monocytes can convert to macrophages and regulate adipocyte expansion and leptin production, while neutrophils infiltrate the infection site. Monocytes play a role in wound repair by regulating leptin levels and revascularization.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Brandon Dow Chan, Wing-Yan Wong, Magnolia Muk-Lan Lee, Tsz-Wing Leung, Tan-Yu Shum, William Chi-Shing Cho, Sibao Chen, William Chi-Shing Tai
Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory disease characterized by disruption of intestinal mucosa homeostasis and abnormal activation of immune cells. Inhibiting the activation of macrophages and cytokine production may be beneficial in the treatment of IBD.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Peter W. West, Silvia Bulfone-Paus
Summary: Mast cells exhibit heterogeneity in different tissues and their interactions with immune cells may be regulated by tissue-specific factors.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wouter T'Jonck, Calum C. Bain
Summary: Macrophages are important for maintaining tissue homeostasis and defending against pathogens. In mucosal barrier tissues like the lung and gut, monocytes can differentiate into macrophages. However, the role of monocyte-derived macrophages in infection, injury, and inflammation is still debated.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Bita Nasiri, Tai Yi, Yulun Wu, Randall J. Smith, Ashis Kumar Podder, Christopher K. Breuer, Stelios T. Andreadis
Summary: A strategy to recruit monocytes (MCs) from blood to regenerate vascular tissue from unseeded tissue engineered vascular grafts is presented. The fusion protein, H2R5, can capture blood-derived MC under static or flow conditions on the surface of vascular grafts. This bound MC then transforms into macrophages (M phi) expressing specific genes. When these functionalized grafts are implanted, they form a continuous endothelium expressing specific proteins and multiple cell layers expressing specific markers. Lineage tracing analysis provides direct evidence of MC/M phi recruitment to the graft lumen. Circulating MCs may potentially contribute to the endothelialization and vascular wall formation of acellular vascular grafts.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
P. Vishnyakova, A. Poltavets, E. Karpulevich, A. Maznina, V. Vtorushina, L. Mikhaleva, E. Kananykhina, A. Lokhonina, S. Kovalchuk, A. Makarov, A. Elchaninov, G. Sukhikh, T. Fatkhudinov
Summary: Macrophages play a crucial role in innate immunity and are activated by various factors. This study found that macrophages derived from CD14+ monocytes exhibit higher sensitivity to pro-inflammatory induction, showing increased levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines compared to CD16+-derived macrophages. This data may be valuable for macrophage-based cell therapy applications, providing insights for manipulating donor monocytes for transplantation.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Prapakorn Wisitpongpun, Pachuen Potup, Kanchana Usuwanthim
Summary: This study investigated the effects of oleamide on macrophage polarization and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The results showed that oleamide promoted M1 macrophage polarization and increased IL-1 beta production. Additionally, oleamide appeared to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome as a second signal. These findings reveal a new function for oleamide and potential targets for treating NLRP3-related inflammatory disorders.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Weiyang Li, Yuanru Yang, Lin Yang, Na Chang, Liying Li
Summary: This study reveals that bone marrow monocyte-derived Kupffer cells (MoKCs) dominate in injured livers. MoKCs exhibit enhanced proliferative and anti-apoptotic properties compared to embryonic KCs (EmKCs), promoting repair and attenuating fibrosis while reducing functional damage, necrosis, and fibrosis.
Article
Immunology
P. Spencer Gill, Tammy R. Ozment, Nicole H. Lewis, Edward R. Sherwood, David L. Williams
Summary: Aging and infection severity are closely related, with age as an independent predictor of mortality in sepsis. Trained immunity can improve immune function in aging and/or sepsis patients, but there is limited data on trained immunity in the aging immune system or in the presence of sepsis. This study found that trained immunity can be induced in aging monocytes and monocytes from sepsis patients, resulting in enhanced metabolic capacity and cytokine production.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
F. Ceciliani, G. Avila Morales, G. De Matteis, F. Grandoni, R. Furioso Ferreira, P. Roccabianca, C. Lecchi
Summary: Monocytes and macrophages in bovines play important roles in key diseases, but their functions and purification procedures differ from that of their human counterparts. This review discusses the current knowledge of bovine monocytes and macrophages, including methods for their purification and characterization of major functions. Various techniques such as flow cytometry, cytology, histology, and immunohistochemistry are utilized to describe their populations and functions.
Article
Immunology
Rinal Sahputra, Krittee Dejyong, Adrian S. Woolf, Matthias Mack, Judith E. Allen, Dominik Ruckerl, Sarah E. Herrick
Summary: Peritoneal adhesions commonly occur after abdominal or pelvic surgery and there are currently no effective treatments available. Peritoneal macrophages have complex and nuanced responses after surgery, and differences in response among specific macrophage subpopulations partially explain the risk of developing peritoneal scars. In a mouse experiment, it was found that monocyte-derived macrophages play an important protective role in reducing adhesion formation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrick Haider, Julia B. Kral-Pointner, Manuel Salzmann, Florian Moik, Sonja Bleichert, Waltraud C. Schrottmaier, Christoph Kaun, Mira Brekalo, Michael B. Fischer, Walter S. Speidl, Christian Hengstenberg, Bruno K. Podesser, Kurt Huber, Ingrid Pabinger, Sylvia Knapp, Frank Brombacher, Christine Brostjan, Cihan Ay, Johann Wojta, Philipp J. Hohensinner
Summary: IL-4R alpha plays a homeostatic role in regulating the lifespan of monocytes, and its absence leads to a reduction in monocyte numbers and affects the occurrence of inflammatory responses.
Review
Oncology
B. Fendl, A. S. Berghoff, M. Preusser, B. Maier
Summary: The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has greatly changed the landscape of clinical routine for solid cancer treatment. However, many patients do not respond well to ICI treatment. Traditional immunotherapy approaches focus on stimulating anti-tumor T cell responses, but recent attention has shifted to tumor-associated macrophages as they play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment. The polarization of tumor-associated macrophages is influenced by intensive cross-talk with various cells, which can either promote or inhibit tumorigenic activity. Further understanding of the molecular signals controlling macrophage polarization may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches and potential combination therapies to improve efficacy.
Article
Immunology
Huayang Wang, Qibing Huang, Zhijie Zhang, Jian Ji, Tao Sun, Donghai Wang
Summary: The study found that CXCR2 is transiently overexpressed in peripheral monocytes of TBI patients post-surgery, which is associated with unfavorable outcomes. Serum and CSF from TBI patients promote CXCR2 expression in monocytes, and CXCR2 antagonist can decrease monocyte chemotaxis.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giacomo Della Camera, Tinghao Liu, Wenjie Yang, Yang Li, Victor F. Puntes, Sabrina Gioria, Paola Italiani, Diana Boraschi
Summary: The study found that nanoparticles alone cannot generate memory, while LPS induces a tolerance memory response. Nanoparticles have no significant effect on LPS-induced tolerance memory, but may have donor-specific effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Mukesh Kumar, Karthi Duraisamy, Rajasekar Reddy Annapureddy, Chi Bun Chan, Billy K. C. Chow
Summary: The research team designed and synthesized a series of novel small molecule antagonists for the treatment of MRGPRX2-mediated allergies and inflammation. These small molecules showed high binding affinity and inhibitory activity in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, effectively inhibiting mast cell activation and related signaling pathways. Therefore, these small molecules may hold significant therapeutic promise for MRGPRX2-mediated allergies and inflammation.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lucia Rejo, Jean-Michel Malgouyres, Elsa Bonnafe, Caroline Vignet
Summary: Freshwater planarian are important models for (eco) toxicological studies, but the lack of procedure harmonization between laboratories is a challenge. This study optimized, automated, and selected the best behavioral tests, and identified Dugesia japonica and Schmidtea mediterranea as sensitive models for toxicological assessment of organophosphorus pesticides. The exploration assay at 10,000 lux in a 24 well-plate was found to be robust and reliable for toxicological studies with planaria.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marie-Anne Le Solliec, Arnaud Arabo, Saloua Takhlidjt, Julie Maucotel, Melodie Devere, Hind Berrahmoune, Alexandre Benani, Emmanuelle Nedelec, Benjamin Lefranc, Jerome Leprince, Marie Picot, Nicolas Chartrel, Gaetan Prevost
Summary: This study reveals that the absence of 26RFa does not significantly affect the glycemic phenotype in obese/hyperglycemic mice, but it can be compensated by an increase in BAT mass. In diabetic insulin-deficient mice, the antihyperglycemic effect of 26RFa is completely blocked, probably due to the impaired insulin production in this model, preventing the action of the peptide.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samuel D. Robinson, Jennifer R. Deuis, Axel Touchard, Angelo Keramidas, Alexander Mueller, Christina I. Schroeder, Valentine Barasse, Andrew A. Walker, Nina Brinkwirth, Sina Jami, Elsa Bonnafe, Michel Treilhou, Eivind A. B. Undheim, Justin O. Schmidt, Glenn F. King, Irina Vetter
Summary: Stings from certain ant species can cause intense and long-lasting nociception. The main contributors to these symptoms are venom peptides that regulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels. These peptides reduce the voltage threshold for activation and inhibit channel inactivation, suggesting their vertebrate-selective nature and defensive function. They emerged early in the evolution of ants and may have played a pivotal role in their expansion.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Carmine Rocca, Anna De Bartolo, Rita Guzzi, Maria Caterina Crocco, Vittoria Rago, Naomi Romeo, Ida Perrotta, Ernestina Marianna De Francesco, Maria Grazia Muoio, Maria Concetta Granieri, Teresa Pasqua, Rosa Mazza, Loubna Boukhzar, Benjamin Lefranc, Jerome Leprince, Maria Eugenia Gallo Cantafio, Teresa Soda, Nicola Amodio, Youssef Anouar, Tommaso Angelone
Summary: Cardiac lipotoxicity is a major factor in cardiovascular complications during obesity. A small peptide (PSELT), derived from SELENOT, has been found to protect cardiomyocytes against lipotoxicity. PSELT counteracts cell death, oxidative stress, and lipid accumulation induced by palmitate, and it regulates mitochondrial function and ER network.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Steven Ascoet, Axel Touchard, Nathan Tene, Benjamin Lefranc, Jerome Leprince, Francoise Paquet, Laurence Jouvensal, Valentine Barasse, Michel Treilhou, Arnaud Billet, Elsa Bonnafe
Summary: This study explores the cytotoxic effects and mechanisms of a peptide called U9 isolated from the venom of Tetramorium bicarinatum, a species of ant. It was found that U9, similar to M-Tb1a, can form pores on the cell membrane, but U9 also induces mitochondrial damage and caspase activation in high concentrations. These findings reveal an original mechanism of cytotoxicity for U9 and raise questions about potential valorization and endogenous activity in T. bicarinatum venom.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yasaman Karami, Samuel Murail, Julien Giribaldi, Benjamin Lefranc, Florian Defontaine, Olivier Lesouhaitier, Jerome Leprince, Sjoerd de Vries, Pierre Tuffery
Summary: This article introduces a method for the rational design of head-to-tail cyclization linkers. Firstly, the conformation of cyclized peptides can be accurately predicted based on the linear peptide and linker sequence. Secondly, effective candidate linker sequences can be proposed based on inferred information from protein structures. Finally, case studies demonstrate the potential of this approach for cyclic peptide-based drug design.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Valentine Barasse, Laurence Jouvensal, Guillaume Boy, Arnaud Billet, Steven Ascoet, Benjamin Lefranc, Jerome Leprince, Alain Dejean, Virginie Lacotte, Isabelle Rahioui, Catherine Sivignon, Karen Gaget, Melanie Ribeiro Lopes, Federica Calevro, Pedro Da Silva, Karine Loth, Francoise Paquet, Michel Treilhou, Elsa Bonnafe, Axel Touchard
Summary: Ants, as abundant terrestrial invertebrate predators, employ remarkable innovations including a paralytic venom to overpower their prey. Ant venoms are cocktails of toxins that disrupt the physiological systems of insect prey and hold great promise for discovering novel insecticidal molecules. This study focuses on identifying neurotoxins from ant venoms and highlights the potential of ant venom as a reservoir for discovering neuroactive insecticidal peptides.
Article
Infectious Diseases
J. Michael Conlon, Laure Guilhaudis, Samir Attoub, Laurent Coquet, Jerome Leprince, Thierry Jouenne, Milena Mechkarska
Summary: Peptidomic analysis of skin secretions from Boana boans frogs led to the isolation and structural characterization of five host-defense peptides with limited structural similarity to figainin 2 and picturin peptides. These peptides showed antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity against human tumor-derived cells.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Milena Mechkarska, Taylor S. Cunning, Megan G. Taggart, Nigel G. Ternan, Jerome Leprince, Laurent Coquet, Thierry Jouenne, Jordi Tena-Garces, Juan J. Calvete, J. Michael Conlon
Summary: The venom of the Trinidad thick-tailed scorpion contains peptides with antimicrobial activity and potassium channel and sodium channel toxins. Among the peptides, TtAP-1 exhibits strong bactericidal activity against various bacteria and can rapidly kill clinically relevant bacteria. However, its high hemolytic activity limits its potential as an anti-infective agent.
Article
Neurosciences
Karen P. Briski, Prabhat R. Napit, Abdulrahman Alhamyani, Jerome Leprince, A. S. M. Hasan Mahmood
Summary: Central endozepinergic signaling is implicated in glucose homeostasis. Ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) metabolic monitoring governs glucose counter-regulation. Current research addresses the premise that the astrocyte glio-peptide octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) imposes sex-dimorphic control of metabolic sensor activity and neurotransmitter signaling in these neurons.