Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Sansico, Mattia Miroballo, Daniele Salvatore Bianco, Francesco Tamiro, Mattia Colucci, Elisabetta De Santis, Giovanni Rossi, Jessica Rosati, Lazzaro Di Mauro, Giuseppe Miscio, Tommaso Mazza, Angelo Luigi Vescovi, Gianluigi Mazzoccoli, Vincenzo Giambra
Summary: The research conducted single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed that patients with COVID-19 exhibited an increase in COVID-specific surface markers in different subsets of immune cells, while the expression of cell receptors was reduced in response to the viral infection. These results highlight the presence of novel immunoreceptors in COVID-19 patients affecting immune functionality.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Richard Wargodsky, Philip Dela Cruz, John LaFleur, David Yamane, Justin Sungmin Kim, Ivy Benjenk, Eric Heinz, Obinna Ome Irondi, Katherine Farrar, Ian Toma, Tristan Jordan, Jennifer Goldman, Timothy A. McCaffrey
Summary: This study analyzed the blood RNA from COVID-19 patients to understand the variable presentation of the disease. It identified that SARS-CoV2 infection and the severity of COVID-19 were associated with increased expression of neutrophil-related transcripts and decreased expression of T cell-related transcripts. The study also suggested that neutrophil extracellular traps may serve as informative biomarkers of host immune activity.
Article
Immunology
Bjorn Samans, Marta Rossello Chornet, Araceli Rossello Chornet, Janine Jung, Konstantin Schildknecht, Laura Lozza, Lourdes Alos Zaragoza, Javier Hernandez Laforet, Nina Babel, Sven Olek
Summary: The course of COVID-19 is associated with dysbalance of the immune system, and immune cell monitoring can provide valuable prognostic information. This study used epigenetic immune cell counting to monitor immune status in blood, dried blood spots, and nasopharyngeal swabs, and found that COVID-19 patients had decreased lymphocytes and increased neutrophils compared to healthy individuals. Male patients also showed significantly lower levels of regulatory T cells. The results suggest that immune cell counts can be used as a predictor of disease progression.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Deepak Kumar, Sonam Verma, Indira U. Mysorekar
Summary: As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, increasing evidence shows higher risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, including various complications and potential harm to the fetus. This review examines clinical reports on COVID-19 pregnancy complications, placental pathologies caused by SARS-CoV-2, immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface, and the genomic and proteomic characteristics of the virus. The effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy are also discussed, addressing concerns of pregnant individuals who were not included in vaccine clinical trials.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Junyu Lu, Xiaona Zeng, Weisheng Lu, Jihua Feng, Yegui Yang, Yongxian Wei, Yin Chen, Jianfeng Zhang, Pinhu Liao
Summary: In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze peripheral blood samples from patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS. The results showed significant differences in the distribution of monocytes, CD8(+) T cells, and B cells in patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS compared to controls. Enhanced cytokine interactions between cells were also observed. Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS exhibit dysregulated immune response.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eunyoung Emily Lee, Kyoung-Ho Song, Woochang Hwang, Sin Young Ham, Hyeonju Jeong, Jeong-Han Kim, Hong Sang Oh, Yu Min Kang, Eun Bong Lee, Nam Joong Kim, Bum Sik Chin, Jin Kyun Park
Summary: The study identified three distinct patterns of inflammatory immune response to COVID-19, with hyper-inflammatory immune responses associated with severe disease and worse outcomes. Targeting the hyper-inflammatory response may improve the clinical outcome of COVID-19.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Guenalp Uzun, Lisann Pelzl, Anurag Singh, Tamam Bakchoul
Summary: Both qualitative and quantitative platelet abnormalities are common in COVID-19 patients, and they are associated with clinical severity and mortality. Activated platelets contribute to the prothrombotic state in COVID-19 patients. Immune-mediated activation of platelets has been observed in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Platelet consumption and thrombosis occur due to activation of platelets by immune complexes through FcγRIIA. A better understanding of platelet activation in COVID-19 and vaccine-induced thrombotic complications will have therapeutic implications.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kazuhiro Murata, Naoki Nakao, Naoki Ishiuchi, Takafumi Fukui, Narutaka Katsuya, Wataru Fukumoto, Hiroko Oka, Naotaka Yoshikawa, Takafumi Nagao, Akira Namera, Naoya Kakimoto, Naohide Oue, Kazuo Awai, Kanji Yoshimoto, Masataka Nagao
Summary: The global COVID-19 vaccination program has been successful, but adverse events and their mechanisms following vaccination are not well understood. A study identified cases of death following the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with no obvious cause found at autopsy. The findings suggest that immune dysregulation may occur following vaccination.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emily Stephenson, Gary Reynolds, Rachel A. Botting, Fernando J. Calero-Nieto, Michael D. Morgan, Zewen Kelvin Tuong, Karsten Bach, Waradon Sungnak, Kaylee B. Worlock, Masahiro Yoshida, Natsuhiko Kumasaka, Katarzyna Kania, Justin Engelbert, Bayan Olabi, Jarmila Stremenova Spegarova, Nicola K. Wilson, Nicole Mende, Laura Jardine, Louis C. S. Gardner, Issac Goh, Dave Horsfall, Jim McGrath, Simone Webb, Michael W. Mather, Rik G. H. Lindeboom, Emma Dann, Ni Huang, Krzysztof Polanski, Elena Prigmore, Florian Gothe, Jonathan Scott, Rebecca P. Payne, Kenneth F. Baker, Aidan T. Hanrath, Ina C. D. Schim van der Loeff, Andrew S. Barr, Amada Sanchez-Gonzalez, Laura Bergamaschi, Federica Mescia, Josephine L. Barnes, Eliz Kilich, Angus de Wilton, Anita Saigal, Aarash Saleh, Sam M. Janes, Claire M. Smith, Nusayhah Gopee, Caroline Wilson, Paul Coupland, Jonathan M. Coxhead, Vladimir Yu Kiselev, Stijn van Dongen, Jaume Bacardit, Hamish W. King, Anthony J. Rostron, A. John Simpson, Sophie Hambleton, Elisa Laurenti, Paul A. Lyons, Kerstin B. Meyer, Marko Z. Nikolic, Christopher J. A. Duncan, Kenneth G. C. Smith, Sarah A. Teichmann, Menna R. Clatworthy, John C. Marioni, Berthold Gottgens, Muzlifah Haniffa
Summary: Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of blood samples from individuals with COVID-19 reveals immune cell and hematopoietic progenitor cell alterations that are differentially associated with disease severity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Haibo Wu, Peiqi He, Yong Ren, Shiqi Xiao, Wei Wang, Zhenbang Liu, Heng Li, Zhe Wang, Dingyu Zhang, Jun Cai, Xiangdong Zhou, Dongpo Jiang, Xiaochun Fei, Lei Zhao, Heng Zhang, Zhenhua Liu, Rong Chen, Weiqing Li, Chaofu Wang, Shuyang Zhang, Jiwei Qin, Bjorn Nashan, Cheng Sun
Summary: In this study, comprehensive transcriptional and histological analyses were performed on deceased severe COVID-19 patients. The researchers found correlations between the presence of viral antigens and lymphocyte suppression yet myeloid activation, suggesting distinct functions of these cells during pathogenesis. These findings provide valuable insights for understanding the etiology of COVID-19 and developing targeted therapies.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Xiaorui Wang, Han Bai, Junpeng Ma, Hongyu Qin, Qiqi Zeng, Fang Hu, Tingting Jiang, Weikang Mao, Yang Zhao, Xiaobei Chen, Xin Qi, Mengyang Li, Jiao Xu, Jingcan Hao, Yankui Wang, Xi Ding, Yuanrui Liu, Tianlong Huang, Chao Fang, Changli Ge, Dong Li, Ke Hu, Xianwen Ren, Baojun Zhang, Binghong Zhang, Bingyin Shi, Chengsheng Zhang
Summary: This study identified distinct cell subsets associated with different clinical presentations of COVID-19, providing insights into the immunopathogenesis of the disease. Classical monocytes and pDC were found to be correlated with disease severity and viral persistence.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Rebekah Penrice-Randal, Xiaofeng Dong, Andrew George Shapanis, Aaron Gardner, Nicholas Harding, Jelmer Legebeke, Jenny Lord, Andres F. F. Vallejo, Stephen Poole, Nathan J. J. Brendish, Catherine Hartley, Anthony P. P. Williams, Gabrielle Wheway, Marta E. E. Polak, Fabio Strazzeri, James P. R. Schofield, Paul J. J. Skipp, Julian A. A. Hiscox, Tristan W. W. Clark, Diana Baralle
Summary: The study found that analyzing the gene expression profiles of patients' blood samples taken at the point of admission can predict whether COVID-19 patients will require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. This finding can contribute to more efficient allocation of healthcare resources and improved patient outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Marina Serrano-Macia, Sofia Lachiondo-Ortega, Paula Iruzubieta, Naroa Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, Alexandre Bosch, Leire Egia-Mendikute, Borja Jimenez-Lasheras, Mikel Azkargorta, Felix Elortza, Diana Martinez-Redondo, Begona Castro, Juan J. Lozano, Ruben Nogueiras, Juan Irure-Ventura, Javier Crespo, Asis Palazon, Maria Carmen Farinas, Teresa C. Delgado, Marcos Lopez-Hoyos, Maria L. Martinez-Chantar
Summary: This study reveals an increase in global neddylation levels in COVID-19 patients' serum, particularly associated with the early infection response. Additionally, the study demonstrates that overactivation of neddylation controls the activation, proliferation, and response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from COVID-19 patients. Inhibition of neddylation and avoiding activation of PBMCs can reduce cytokine production, mainly IL-6 and MCP-1, and induce proteome modulation, which serves as a critical mechanism and potential approach for immunomodulating COVID-19 patients.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kyle D. Brumfield, Menu Leddy, Moiz Usmani, Joseph A. Cotruvo, Ching-Tzone Tien, Suzanne Dorsey, Karlis Graubics, Brian Fanelli, Isaac Zhou, Nathaniel Registe, Manoj Dadlani, Malinda Wimalarante, Dilini Jinasena, Rushan Abayagunawardena, Chiran Withanachchi, Anwar Huq, Antarpreet Jutla, Rita R. Colwell
Summary: Wastewater surveillance combined with advanced molecular techniques can provide real-time monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a community and help assess and mitigate COVID-19 outbreaks. The concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater samples reflects the incidence of COVID-19 cases. Wastewater microbiome analysis provides important information related to human health and is associated with the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Wastewater metagenomics can serve as an early warning system for communicable diseases.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chong Wang, Xufang Li, Wanshan Ning, Sitang Gong, Fengxia Yang, Chunxiao Fang, Yu Gong, Di Wu, Muhan Huang, Yujie Gou, Shanshan Fu, Yujie Ren, Ruyi Yang, Yang Qiu, Yu Xue, Yi Xu, Xi Zhou
Summary: The study identified specific alterations in plasma proteomic and metabolomic profiles of children with COVID-19, showing a distinct molecular response compared to adults. This suggests potential differences in pathogenesis and immune response mechanisms between children and adults.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Xiaotao Bian, Juan Liu, Qian Yang, Yanlei Liu, Wentong Jia, Xiaodong Zhang, Yu-Xia Li, Xuan Shao, Yan-Ling Wang
Summary: This study generated a miR-210-deficient mouse strain using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and found that miR-210 participates in regulating placental adaptation to hypoxic stress during pregnancy.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xuan Shao, Guangming Cao, Dunjin Chen, Juan Liu, Bolan Yu, Ming Liu, Yu-Xia Li, Bin Cao, Yoel Sadovsky, Yan-Ling Wang
Summary: The syncytiotrophoblast adapts to nutrient stress by inducing macropinocytosis through repression of mTOR signaling, supporting fetal survival and growth under nutrient deprivation. Placentas derived from fetal growth restriction patients show reduced mTOR signaling, increased syncytialization, and enhanced macropinocytosis.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Feiyang Wang, Wentong Jia, Mengjie Fan, Xuan Shao, Zhilang Li, Yongjie Liu, Yeling Ma, Yu-Xia Li, Rong Li, Qiang Tu, Yan-Ling Wang
Summary: This study compared the cellular and molecular characteristics of decidual and peripheral leukocytes in normal and unexplained recurrent miscarriage (RM) pregnancies using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). The results revealed significant differences in immune cell subsets and molecular properties in RM cases, providing insights into the immune pathogenesis of early pregnancy loss.
GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Haili Bao, Yang Sun, Ningjie Yang, Na Deng, Zhangli Ni, Yedong Tang, Gaizhen Li, Lili Du, Yan-Ling Wang, Dunjin Chen, Haibin Wang, Shuangbo Kong
Summary: This study demonstrated the essential role of uterine Notch2 in pregnancy recognition and corpus luteum maintenance. Decidual derived Prl8a2 assists pituitary prolactin to sustain corpus luteum function and serum progesterone level during post-implantation phase, contributing to pregnancy recognition and maintenance under the control of uterine canonical Notch signaling.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Xuan Shao, Wenzhe Yu, Yun Yang, Feiyang Wang, Xin Yu, Hongyu Wu, Yeling Ma, Bin Cao, Yan-Ling Wang
Summary: This article summarizes the important role of the placenta during pregnancy, discusses the mechanisms underlying the formation of placental functional units and the placental defense against pathogen infections. Additionally, it explores the association between placental dysregulation and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yanxin Li, Zhongqiu Li, Min Yang, Feiyang Wang, Yuehong Zhang, Rong Li, Qian Li, Yunxia Gong, Binhong Wang, Baoguang Fan, Chunyue Wang, Lei Chen, Hong Li, Jennie Ong, Zhaoqian Teng, Lei Jin, Yan-Ling Wang, Peng Du, Jianwei Jiao
Summary: The study revealed that microglia in the developing human brain show regional specialization and state transitions. Neuronal gene-enriched microglia subclasses dynamically appear as early brain regions form, while immune-related microglia are specialized at later stages of CNS development.
Article
Cell Biology
Bi Shilei, Zhang Lizi, Huang Lijun, Ma Weixu, Meng Nan, Deng Weinan, Li Yulian, Liang Yingyu, Huang Minshan, Xu Pei, Liu Mingxing, Chen Jingsi, Tu Zhaowei, Wang Zhijian, Wang Haibin, Lu Jinhua, Chen Dunjin, Du Lili
Summary: This study reveals the importance of the CDC42/EZRIN/YAP pathway in placental development. Deficiency of CDC42 leads to the differentiation and inhibition of proliferation in hTSCs, as well as abnormal expression of EZRIN, YAP, and Ki67.
CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Yulian Li, Lizi Zhang, Lijun Huang, Yingyu Liang, Jingsi Chen, Shilei Bi, Weinan Deng, Lin Lin, Xiaoyi Wang, Luwen Ren, Shanshan Zeng, Minshan Huang, Baoying Huang, Yijian Zhang, Sushan Xie, Lili Du, Dunjin Chen
Summary: This study found that women undergoing TOLAC with a second-stage duration of >= 2 h have a higher risk of operative vaginal delivery, unplanned intrapartum CD, and postpartum hemorrhage.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2022)
Letter
Cell Biology
Liyuan Jiang, Xin Wang, Leyun Wang, Sinan Ma, Yali Ding, Chao Liu, Siqi Wang, Xuan Shao, Ying Zhang, Zhikun Li, Wei Li, Guihai Feng, Qi Zhou
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Xuan Shao, Yun Yang, Yanlei Liu, Yongqing Wang, Yangyu Zhao, Xin Yu, Juan Liu, Yu-Xia Li, Yan-Ling Wang
Summary: Maintaining placental endocrine homeostasis is crucial for a successful pregnancy. Aberrant elevation of testosterone (T0) synthesis, reduced estradiol (E2), and melatonin productions have been identified in preeclamptic placentas. This study reveals an orchestrated feedback mechanism that maintains homeostasis of placental sex hormones and melatonin, and offers novel evidence that identifies potential targets for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for PE.
JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Xin Yu, Hongyu Wu, Yun Yang, Feiyang Wang, Yan-Ling Wang, Xuan Shao
Summary: The placenta serves as the interface between the fetal and maternal environments, playing critical roles in protecting the developing fetus and maintaining maternal health. Defects in placental development and function are closely associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Understanding the differentiation of trophoblast cells and the formation of placental functional units is important for studying pregnancy-related disorders such as preeclampsia.
MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Guanlin Li, Yongqing Wang, Guangming Cao, Yeling Ma, Yu-Xia Li, Yangyu Zhao, Xuan Shao, Yan-Ling Wang
Summary: This study reveals that prolonged hypoxic stress induces increased endocytosis and repression of ubiquitin-mediated Met degradation, leading to impaired regulation of trophoblast invasion by HGF/Met signaling. These findings provide novel evidence for elucidating the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, especially of the early-onset subtype.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)