Review
Immunology
Aniefiok John Udoakang, Alexandra Lindsey Djomkam Zune, Kesego Tapela, Nora Nghochuzie Nganyewo, Frances Ngozi Olisaka, Claudia Adzo Anyigba, Sylvia Tawiah-Eshun, Irene Amoakoh Owusu, Lily Paemka, Gordon A. Awandare, Peter Kojo Quashie
Summary: In December 2019, a novel pneumonic condition called COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 emerged in China and spread globally. COVID-19 is more severe in individuals with underlying medical conditions such as TB and HIV/AIDS. Co-infections of SARS-CoV-2 with HIV and Mtb have been reported, which may impact disease progression. Therefore, it is important to understand the biological and epidemiological interactions between COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, and TB.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Igor Pokotylo, Michael Hodges, Volodymyr Kravets, Eric Ruelland
Summary: This review focuses on the inhibitory effect of salicylic acid (SA) on plant growth and discusses whether this process is regulated and if the role of SA in immunity necessarily leads to growth suppression. The article highlights molecular targets of SA that interfere with growth and describes scenarios where SA can improve plant immunity without a growth penalty.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Dieter Kabelitz
Summary: This study reveals the interplay between γδ T cells and NK cells in antitumor immunity, providing new insights for improving γδ T cell immunotherapy.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Yasmina Filali-Mouncef, Catherine Hunter, Federica Roccio, Stavroula Zagkou, Nicolas Dupont, Charlotte Primard, Tassula Proikas-Cezanne, Fulvio Reggiori
Summary: Autophagic pathways intersect with lipid homeostasis to provide energy and building blocks essential for liver functions. Disruption of lipophagy regulation in fatty liver diseases, especially nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), may contribute to the development of hepatocellular carcinomas. This review focuses on the role of macroautophagy and macrolipophagy in NASH, highlighting the impact of inappropriate lipophagy on various types of liver cells.
Article
Immunology
Gunther Schoenrich, Mohammed O. Abdelaziz, Martin J. Raftery
Summary: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination of nerve cells. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection greatly increases the risk of subsequent MS. EBV induces both human interleukin-10 (IL-10) and a similar molecule, encoded by the virus (ebvIL-10), which work together to establish latent infection in B cells and balance the function of antiviral T cells. If the set point is too high, MS may be induced as collateral damage.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Terenzio Congiu, Mawadda Alghrably, Abdul-Hamid Emwas, Lukasz Jaremko, Joanna Lachowicz, Marco Piludu, Monica Piras, Gavino Faa, Giuseppina Pichiri, Mariusz Jaremko, Pierpaolo Coni
Summary: The study shows that binary metformin/amylin and tertiary copper (II)/amylin/metformin complexes with high cellular toxicity are formed and lead to the formation of aggregated multi-level lamellar structures on the cell membrane. The increased concentration of amylin, copper (II) and metformin in kidneys of T2DM patients may be correlated with the development of diabetic nephropathy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria Ciaffaglione, Enrico Rizzarelli
Summary: Dysregulated metal homeostasis, especially altered levels of zinc and copper, is associated with arthritic diseases. Carnosine emerges as a biomarker and exerts protective and osteogenic effects in arthritic joints. The zinc(II) complex, polaprezinc, also shows potential for bone fracture healing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sugyeong Jo, Sungsoon Fang
Summary: The increasing incidence of type I and type II diabetes worldwide is believed to be related to disrupted immune homeostasis affecting pancreatic beta cell function, with autoimmunity and inflammation playing key roles in the pathogenesis. Current therapeutic strategies include immune modulation and microbiota transplantation for the treatment of diabetes.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Adrian S. D'costa, Nicolas Bordenave
Summary: This review summarizes the two-way interactions between starch, fibers, and phenolic compounds and their effects on their physical, chemical, and biochemical properties as well as nutritional properties. In vitro studies show that complexes formed by phenolics and polysaccharides can alter their properties, but these observations are poorly reflected in clinical studies, suggesting the need for further research on three-way interactions.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Anais Blanchet, Agathe Bourgmayer, Jean-Emmanuel Kurtz, Georg Mellitzer, Christian Gaiddon
Summary: The p53 family plays a crucial role in gastric cancer, but its complexity results in uncertainty in treatment efficacy and the lack of predictive markers, leading to predominantly cytotoxic chemotherapy and low response rates to immunotherapy for a minority of patients.
Review
Immunology
Amirhossein Ghaseminejad-Raeini, Ali Ghaderi, Amirmohammad Sharafi, Behrad Nematollahi-Sani, Maryam Moossavi, Afshin Derakhshani, Gholamreza Anani Sarab
Summary: For many years, vitamin D has been known for its role in maintaining calcium and phosphate balance, but recent research has focused on its immunomodulatory role, which has generated conflicting results. The presence of vitamin D receptors in various immune cell types has allowed for the investigation of its precise role in diseases, specifically autoimmune disorders. Physiologically activated vitamin D not only modulates innate and acquired immune cell responses, but also promotes a tolerogenic immune state. Recent studies suggest that this important micronutrient plays a complex role in immune system pathways and associated disorders. Understanding this field is still relatively new, and some studies indicate that patients with severe autoimmune illnesses often have vitamin D deficiencies. This review aims to provide a clear understanding of the latest research on the immune system-related roles of vitamin D, including the pathophysiology of major disorders.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexandra Laine, Ossama Labiad, Hector Hernandez-Vargas, Sebastien This, Amelien Sanlaville, Sophie Leon, Stephane Dalle, Dean Sheppard, Mark A. Travis, Helena Paidassi, Julien C. Marie
Summary: The presence of TGF beta in the tumor microenvironment is a significant cancer immune-escape mechanism. This study shows that regulatory T cells work in concert with cancer cells to produce bioactive TGF beta, creating an immunosuppressive micro-environment. The activation of TGF beta by Treg cells through the expression of avb8 integrin’s b8 chain is necessary for tumor growth.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kavita Rawat, Shannon M. Soucy, Fred W. Kolling, Kiara Manohar Diaz, William T. King, Anita Tewari, Claudia V. Jakubzick
Summary: Recent studies have revealed the critical role of natural antibodies (NAbs) in antitumor immune responses. However, the role of NAbs in cancer immunosurveillance has not been explored due to the lack of in vivo models. In this article, the authors propose a role for NAbs in alerting the immune system against precancerous neoantigen-expressing cells. Four reproducible neoantigen-expressing cell models are identified, allowing investigation of cancer immunosurveillance mediators. The presence of NAbs is essential for the elimination of transformed cells and immunity against neoantigens. Additionally, NAb-deficient mice show a greater tumor burden in chemically and virally induced tumor models. Restoration of NAb repertoire leads to the recognition and elimination of neoantigen-expressing cells and cancer.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Rinaldo Rodrigues dos Passos Junior, Gisele Facholi Bomfim, Fernanda R. Giachini, Rita C. Tostes, Victor Vitorino Lima
Summary: The O-GlcNAcylation modification of proteins plays a significant role in cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Recent studies have shown that components of innate and adaptive immunity are targets for O-GlcNAcylation and may contribute to arterial hypertension.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Margherita Sisto, Sabrina Lisi
Summary: Fibrosis, which can develop spontaneously or as a result of underlying diseases, is characterized by immune cells infiltration and the production of pro-inflammatory molecules. Defects in the abilities of non-immune cells to regulate immune responses may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. However, the precise cellular mechanisms involved in this process have not been fully elucidated.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Catherine C. Robertson, Jamie R. J. Inshaw, Suna Onengut-Gumuscu, Wei-Min Chen, David Flores Santa Cruz, Hanzhi Yang, Antony J. Cutler, Daniel J. M. Crouch, Emily Farber, S. Louis Bridges, Jeffrey C. Edberg, Robert P. Kimberly, Jane H. Buckner, Panos Deloukas, Jasmin Divers, Dana Dabelea, Jean M. Lawrence, Santica Marcovina, Amy S. Shah, Carla J. Greenbaum, Mark A. Atkinson, Peter K. Gregersen, Jorge R. Oksenberg, Flemming Pociot, Marian J. Rewers, Andrea K. Steck, David B. Dunger, Linda S. Wicker, Patrick Concannon, John A. Todd, Stephen S. Rich
Summary: A large-scale genetic analysis of type 1 diabetes identifies new susceptibility variants, highlights potential regulatory mechanisms, and provides genetic support for therapeutic targets for immune intervention.
Article
Surgery
Freya Van Hulle, Kaat De Groot, Robert Hilbrands, Ursule Van de Velde, Krista Suenens, Geert Stange, Ines De Mesmaeker, Diedert L. De Paep, Zhidong Ling, Bart Roep, Pieter Gillard, Daniel Pipeleers, Bart Keymeulen, Daniel Jacobs-Tulleneers-Thevissen
Summary: The study found that omental implants can help restore metabolic control in type 1 diabetes patients, but it may require a higher number of beta cells in the grafts and elimination of immunogenic non-endocrine components in order to establish a metabolically adequate functional beta cell mass in the omentum.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)
Letter
Endocrinology & Metabolism
John S. Kaddis, Daniel J. Perry, Anh Nguyet Vu, Stephen S. Rich, Mark A. Atkinson, Desmond A. Schatz, Bart O. Roep, Todd M. Brusko
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rebecca C. Wyatt, William A. Hagopian, Bart O. Roep, Kashyap A. Patel, Brittany Resnick, Rebecca Dobbs, Michelle Hudson, Elisa De Franco, Sian Ellard, Sarah E. Flanagan, Andrew T. Hattersley, Richard A. Oram, Matthew B. Johnson
Summary: This study shows that beta cell stress/dysfunction alone does not lead to the production of islet autoantibodies, even in the context of high-risk HLA types. This suggests that additional factors are required to trigger an autoimmune response towards beta cells.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
David B. Dunger, Sylvaine F. A. Bruggraber, Adrian P. Mander, M. Loredana Marcovecchio, Timothy Tree, Piotr Jaroslaw Chmura, Mikael Knip, Anke M. Schulte, Chantal Mathieu
Summary: The INNODIA consortium has established an infrastructure to evaluate clinical data and identify biomarkers for future clinical trials in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. They have developed a master protocol to improve phase 2 studies, including standardized assessment, collection of mechanistic data, and evaluation of combination therapies.
Review
Immunology
Chelsea Gootjes, Jaap Jan Zwaginga, Bart O. Roep, Tatjana Nikolic
Summary: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. In addition to HLA gene composition, over 60 non-HLA gene regions also contribute to the susceptibility of the disease. Combining these risk genes into a score significantly improves the prediction of disease progression. Many minor-risk SNPs associated with immune genes have been identified, but their impact on gene and protein expression and their functional changes at a cellular level require further investigation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Nicoline H. M. den Hollander, Bart O. O. Roep
Summary: This review discusses the risk factors, pathophysiology, and defect pathways of type 1 diabetes (T1D) as well as different intervention strategies based on patient characteristics. It highlights the potential benefits of depleting T cells or targeting B lymphocytes in early-onset T1D and the need for more sophisticated, precise, and specific disease-modifying therapies for slow-progressing T1D in adults. The use of genetic editing and immune profiling may aid in determining the specific T1D endotypes patients suffer from. Stratification of endotypes in clinical trials seems essential for precision medicines and clinical decision making.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Astrid G. S. van Halteren, Jessica S. Suwandi, Sander Tuit, Jelske Borst, Sandra Laban, Roula Tsonaka, Ada Struijk, Anna-Sophia Wiekmeijer, Melissa van Pel, Bart O. Roep, Jaap Jan Zwaginga, Arjan C. Lankester, Koen Schepers, Maarten J. D. van Tol, Willem E. Fibbe
Summary: Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a potentially fatal complication of stem cell transplantation. This study used mass cytometry to analyze the immune cells in children with severe aGVHD and compared the results with control groups. The onset of aGVHD was associated with the appearance of specific myeloid and lymphoid cells in the blood and affected organs such as the skin and gastrointestinal tract. The findings highlight the importance of immune cell profiling for evaluating clinical response and managing severe aGVHD.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rene O. van Tienhoven, Anh Nguyet Vu, John Kaddis, Bart Roep
Summary: Type 1 diabetes patients carrying a protective insulin gene variant have reduced risk of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) as long-term complications. The presence of this variant is associated with superior glycemic control and improved beta cell function. Intensive insulin therapy combined with this protective variant further decreases the risk of these complications.
Article
Immunology
Bart O. Roep
Summary: The current standard of care for type 1 diabetes patients focuses on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause. Understanding the immunological aspects of the disease is crucial in order to develop effective treatments and personalize patient care. Immune monitoring provides valuable insights into disease progression, patient heterogeneity, and therapeutic responses, despite the associated challenges and costs. This perspective highlights the importance of immune monitoring in future trials and patient selection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Tatjana Nikolic, Jessica S. S. Suwandi, Joris Wesselius, Sandra Laban, Antoinette M. M. Joosten, Petra Sonneveld, Dick Mul, Henk-Jan Aanstoot, John S. S. Kaddis, Jaap Jan Zwaginga, Bart O. O. Roep
Summary: This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDC) vaccine for type 1 diabetes patients. The vaccine not only reduces autoimmune responses but also increases the number of regulatory T cells and memory T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sarah C. Shuck, Peter Achenbach, Bart O. Roep, John S. Termini, Carlos Hernandez-Castillo, Christiane Winkler, Andreas Weiss, Anette-Gabriele Ziegler
Summary: The study found that serum levels of MG-AGEs were associated with the rate of progression to stage 3 type 1 diabetes, with lower levels increasing the risk of progression. This provides a potential new clinical biomarker for determining the rate of disease progression and points to contributing metabolic pathways.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Neslihan Erdem, Kuan-Tsen Chen, Meirigeng Qi, Yuqi Zhao, Xiwei Wu, Isaac Garcia, Hsun Teresa Ku, Enrique Montero, Ismail H. Al-Abdullah, Fouad Kandeel, Bart O. Roep, Jeffrey S. Isenberg
Summary: TSP1 is a secreted protein that is increased in disease and age. It binds to the cell receptor CD47 and creates a checkpoint for immune activation. Human islets express CD47 and secrete TSP1, but lack SIRPa. These findings are important for the use of CD47 and SIRPa blocking molecules in cancer patients.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rene van Tienhoven, Maria J. L. Kracht, Arno R. van der Slik, Sofia Thomaidou, Anouk H. G. Wolters, Ben N. G. Giepmans, Juan Pablo Romero Riojas, Michael S. Nelson, Francoise Carlotti, Eelco J. P. de Koning, Rob C. Hoeben, Arnaud Zaldumbide, Bart O. Roep
Summary: Transcriptome analysis identified insulin-gene-derived transcripts in non-beta endocrine islet cells. Researchers studied alternative splicing of human INS mRNA in pancreatic islets and found an alternatively spliced INS product that is expressed in delta cells but not in beta cells. This variant encodes the complete insulin signal peptide and B chain, and its presence in delta cells may play a role in islet autoimmunity and pathology.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tomi Suomi, Inna Starskaia, Ubaid Ullah Kalim, Omid Rasool, Maria K. Jaakkola, Toni Gronroos, Tommi Valikangas, Caroline Brorsson, Gianluca Mazzoni, Sylvaine Bruggraber, Lut Overbergh, David Dunger, Mark Peakman, Piotr Chmura, Seren Brunak, Anke M. Schulte, Chantal Mathieu, Mikael Knip, Riitta Lahesmaa, Laura L. Elo
Summary: This study aimed to identify transcriptional changes associated with disease progression in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes. They found that genes and pathways related to innate immunity were downregulated during the first year after diagnosis. Associations between gene expression changes and ZnT8A autoantibody positivity were also observed. Additionally, changes in the expression of 16 genes were found to predict the decline in C-peptide at 24 months, and increased B cell levels and decreased neutrophil levels were associated with rapid progression, consistent with previous reports.