Article
Immunology
Siqi Liu, Lanlan Yang, Shengnan Jia, Rui Zhao, Zhenjing Jin
Summary: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the levels of NKB cells and IL-18 secretion were decreased in both peripheral blood and liver-infiltrating sites. Elevated IL-35 levels were negatively correlated with the percentage of NKB cells and IL-18 production in HCC, suggesting a suppressive role of IL-35 on NKB cell activity.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takahiro Uchida, Shuhji Seki, Takashi Oda
Summary: Natural killer T (NKT) cells and NK cells have important roles in antitumor and antimicrobial functions. They are involved in various renal diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI). NKT cells in mice are activated by specific ligands, cytokines, and bacterial components, leading to AKI. Both renal vascular endothelial cell injury (via perforin-mediated pathway) and tubular epithelial cell injury (via tumor necrosis factor-alpha/Fas ligand pathway) are independently involved in the pathogenesis of AKI. NK cells complement the functions of NKT cells in the development of infection-associated AKI. Human CD56(+) T cells, which are functional counterparts of murine NKT cells, and a subpopulation of CD56(+) NK cells damage intrinsic renal cells in vitro upon activation, possibly through mechanisms similar to those in mice. These cells are also thought to be involved in the acute exacerbation of pre-existing glomerulonephritis triggered by infection in humans, and their roles in sepsis-associated AKI are currently under investigation. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in the understanding of the association among infections, NKT and NK cells, and kidney injury, which is much more profound than previously considered. The important role of liver macrophages in the activation of NKT cells is also introduced.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Jung Nam An, Seungwon Ryu, Yong Chul Kim, Kyung Don Yoo, Jangwook Lee, Hye Young Kim, Hajeong Lee, Jung Pyo Lee, Jae Wook Lee, Un Sil Jeon, Dong Ki Kim, Yon Su Kim, Seung Hee Yang
Summary: This study reveals the upregulation of IL-17 in lupus nephritis and the involvement of natural killer T (NKT) cells in its pathogenesis. Activation of NKT cells regulates IL-17-related immune responses, both systemically and in the kidney, primarily through NK1.1(-) NKT cells. IL-17-secreting NK1.1(-) NKT cells could potentially be targeted for the diagnosis and treatment of lupus nephritis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-RENAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nikki Bortell, Elizabeth R. Aguilera, Laurel L. Lenz
Summary: Pulmonary coinfections can impair the host's ability to control systemic Lm, increasing susceptibility to severe infection. Exposure to microbial products can render hosts more susceptible to severe infection through an increase in IL-10 production. This increase in susceptibility correlates with a dampening of myeloid cell function in infected tissues.
Article
Oncology
Malgorzata Bajor, Agnieszka Graczyk-Jarzynka, Katsiaryna Marhelava, Anna Burdzinska, Angelika Muchowicz, Agnieszka Goral, Andriy Zhylko, Karolina Soroczynska, Kuba Retecki, Marta Krawczyk, Marta Klopotowska, Zofia Pilch, Leszek Paczek, Karl-Johan Malmberg, Sebastien Walchli, Magdalena Winiarska, Radoslaw Zagozdzon
Summary: This study provides new information on the efficacy of PD-L1-targeted CAR against PD-L1(low) targets. The results show that PD-L1-CAR cells have strong reactivity and cytotoxicity against both PD-L1(high) and PD-L1(low) target cells. Additionally, PD-L1-CAR cells also exhibit potent cytotoxic effects against non-malignant cells.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xue Xiao, Cui-Liu Hou, Yun-Long Zhang, Hui Yang, Xiao-Xiao Wang, Hong-Xia Wang
Summary: This study identified the important role of CD1d-dependent NKT cells in hypertension and vascular injury, suggesting that NKT cell activation could be a promising therapeutic target for hypertension.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
France Dierick, Julien Solinc, Juliette Bignard, Florent Soubrier, Sophie Nadaud
Summary: This review summarizes the importance of cellular processes and dysfunction in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension, as well as the roles of circulating and resident vascular cells in pulmonary vascular remodeling.
Review
Immunology
Oleksandr Kyrysyuk, Kai W. Wucherpfennig
Summary: T cells and NK cells have complementary roles in tumor immunity. Targeting immune evasion mechanisms and shared receptors between T cells and NK cells can enhance their immune response. Inhibitory and activating cytokines are also potential therapeutic strategies to impact lymphocyte function in tumors.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Julian Burks, Purevdorj B. Olkhanud, Jay A. Berzofsky
Summary: Gastrointestinal cancers are a group of complex cancers that affect the digestive system. NKT cells, with their immunoregulatory properties, play a crucial role in tumor immunity and can have either anti-tumor or pro-tumor effects depending on the cytokine profile expressed and the type of GI cancer.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li-Na Shi, Yihua Zhou, Chao Wu, Wenfeng Huang, Feng Yuan, Jianjun Chen, Zhiwei Wu, Wenwei Tu, Hairong Chen, Quanjiao Chen, Mingzhao Zhu, Hua Peng, Yan Yang, Hong Tang
Summary: NKT-derived LIGHT exacerbates lung pathology and susceptibility to fatal influenza infection, suggesting that suppression of LIGHT signaling could be a viable option in the treatment of influenza-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Ying-Ju Lai, Winston W-Y Kao, Yung-Hsin Yeh, Wei-Jan Chen, Pao-Hsien Chu
Summary: Lumican deficiency promotes pulmonary arterial remodeling. Administration of lumikine reverses the PAH pathogenesis caused by hypoxia-induced experimental PAH. Lumican is an antiproliferative target that functions to suppress pAKT activation during pathogenesis.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Pathology
Zeinab Shojaei, Roghayeh Jafarpour, Saber Mehdizadeh, Hashem Bayatipoor, Salar Pashangzadeh, Morteza Motallebnezhad
Summary: During pregnancy, the interaction between a mother and a fetus is facilitated by natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells. These immune system cells not only play a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy, but also have implications in infertility-related diseases.
PATHOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aijun Liu, Bin Li, Ming Yang, Yongying Shi, Junwu Su
Summary: This study developed GlcA-modified liposomes to enhance the delivery of TPS to pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and improve its effectiveness against PAH. The GlcA-liposomes significantly increased TPS bioavailability and sustained release, while also inhibiting PA remodeling and muscularization, decreasing PA medial thickening, suppressing collagen deposition, and attenuating right ventricle hypertrophy. In vitro experiments showed that GlcA-liposomes enhanced the inhibitory effects of TPS on PASMC proliferation and migration.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yongwei Qin, Qinglan Wang, Jiahai Shi
Summary: The down-regulated expression of immune-activating receptors and enhanced expression of immune-inhibitory receptors play a role in chronic infectious diseases and cancer. However, the impact of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection on the expression of immune checkpoint molecules on natural killer (NK) cells and their functions has been poorly studied. Understanding the function of NK cells during Mtb infection is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the immune mechanism and evaluation of immunotherapies for treating tuberculosis.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Rachid Tobal, Judith Potjewijd, Vanessa P. M. van Empel, Renee Ysermans, Leon J. Schurgers, Chris P. Reutelingsperger, Jan G. M. C. Damoiseaux, Pieter van Paassen
Summary: PAH is a severe disease with high morbidity and mortality. Recent literature has highlighted the important interaction between immune cells and stromal vascular cells in the pathogenic modifications of the pulmonary vasculature, leading to vascular remodeling, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, and eventually PAH. Understanding the underlying immunological mechanisms may be key to halting disease progression.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Hiroki Furuya, Mikio Nakajima, Kei Ikeda, Kaito Nakamura, Hiroyuki Ohbe, Shotaro Aso, Ryosuke Kumazawa, Taro Iwamoto, Arifumi Iwata, Shunsuke Furuta, Hiroki Matsui, Kiyohide Fushimi, Hideo Yasunaga, Hiroshi Nakajima
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prognosis, clinical course, and management of severe interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with myositis. The results showed that despite aggressive interventions, the mortality rate of myositis-associated ILD patients requiring mechanical ventilation is extremely high, with a significantly higher mortality rate in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) compared to those with polymyositis (PM).
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Atsushi Onodera, Masahiro Kiuchi, Kota Kokubo, Toshinori Nakayama
Summary: Epigenetic regulation is crucial for controlling inflammation in the immune system, with CxxC domain-containing proteins playing important roles as epigenetic readers and writers. By binding to non-methylated CpG sites, these proteins contribute to proper immune cell function and regulation in both T cells and macrophages.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Fumihiko Ando, Katsuhiko Takabayashi, Shinsuke Fujita, Hiroshi Nakajima, Hideki Hanaoka, Takahiro Suzuki
Summary: This study investigated the seasonal changes in the use of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and methotrexate (MTX), and found that their use was highest in spring and lowest in winter. These seasonal changes are often overlooked in daily practice.
MODERN RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Junya Suzuki, Shunsuke Furuta, Takahiro Sugiyama, Taro Iwamoto, Kei Ikeda, Kotaro Suzuki, Hiroshi Nakajima
Summary: This study retrospectively assessed the proportion of aPL positivity and its association with thrombotic risk in Japanese patients with AAV. The results showed that 33.3% of the patients were aPL-positive, and aPL positivity was associated with a higher incidence of thrombotic events. Multivariate analyses confirmed aPL positivity as a risk factor for thrombosis.
MODERN RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jun Akimoto, Hiroharu Kashiwagi, Nobuhiro Morishima, Sei Obuse, Takashi Isoshima, Takahiro Kageyama, Hiroshi Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ito
Summary: A rapid automatic diagnostic system for multiple SARS-CoV-2 mutant protein-specific antibodies was developed using a microarray with photoreactive polymers. The system showed high correlation with conventional enzyme-linked immunoassay or immunochromatography, and was successfully used for testing sera or blood from recovered patients and vaccinated individuals, with good detection efficiency for virus mutation.
ANALYTICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hidetoshi Igari, Haruna Asano, Shota Murata, Toshihiko Yoshida, Kenji Kawasaki, Takahiro Kageyama, Key Ikeda, Hiromi Koshikawa, Yoshio Okuda, Misao Urushihara, Hitoshi Chiba, Misuzu Yahaba, Toshibumi Taniguchi, Kazuyuki Matsushita, Ichiro Yoshino, Koutaro Yokote, Hiroshi Nakajima
Summary: Booster vaccination can increase antibody levels and reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Healthcare workers in COVID-19 wards and individuals aged 20-49 are more susceptible to infection.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chiaki Iwamura, Kiyoshi Hirahara, Masahiro Kiuchi, Sanae Ikehara, Kazuhiko Azuma, Tadanaga Shimada, Sachiko Kuriyama, Syota Ohki, Emiri Yamamoto, Yosuke Inaba, Yuki Shiko, Ami Aoki, Kota Kokubo, Rui Hirasawa, Takahisa Hishiya, Kaori Tsuji, Tetsutaro Nagaoka, Satoru Ishkawa, Akira Kojima, Haruki Mito, Ryota Hase, Yasunori Kasahara, Naohide Kuriyama, Tetsuya Tsukamoto, Sukeyuki Nakamura, Takashi Urushibara, Satoru Kaneda, Seiichiro Sakao, Minoru Tobiume, Yoshio Suzuki, Mitsuhiro Tsujiwaki, Terufumi Kubo, Tadashi Hasegawa, Hiroshi Nakase, Osamu Nishida, Kazuhisa Takahashi, Komei Baba, Yoko Iizumi, Toshiya Okazaki, Motoko Y. Kimura, Ichiro Yoshino, Hidetoshi Igari, Hiroshi Nakajima, Takuji Suzuki, Hideki Hanaoka, Taka-aki Nakada, Yuzuru Ikehara, Koutaro Yokote, Toshinori Nakayama
Summary: This study investigates the pathogenesis of vasculitis and immunothrombosis in COVID-19, finding that SARS-CoV-2 accumulates in pulmonary vessels and causes vasculitis and microthrombi formation. The amount of plasma Myl9 is correlated with disease severity, and measuring plasma Myl9 together with other markers allows for a more accurate prediction of disease severity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yusuke Yokoyama, Tomohiro Tamachi, Arifumi Iwata, Yuko Maezawa, Kazuyuki Meguro, Masaya Yokota, Hiroaki Takatori, Akira Suto, Kotaro Suzuki, Koichi Hirose, Noritaka Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Honda, Hiroshi Nakajima
Summary: A20, a ubiquitin-editing enzyme, inhibits NF-kB signaling pathways and has anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have found that the expression of A20 in T cells is associated with asthmatic responses, particularly in the regulation of Th2 cell differentiation.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Yoichi Mashimo, Keiko Yamazaki, Takahiro Kageyama, Shigeru Tanaka, Toshibumi Taniguchi, Kazuyuki Matsushita, Hidetoshi Igari, Hideki Hanaoka, Koutaro Yokote, Hiroshi Nakajima, Yoshihiro Onouchi
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Ryohei Ono, Togo Iwahana, Shuji Toriumi, Kaoruko Aoki, Hirotoshi Kato, Kodai Kato, Masahiro Yasui, Yuzuho Nakagawa, Shunsuke Furuta, Hiroshi Nakajima, Yoshio Kobayashi
Summary: This study reports a rare case of a 43-year-old female with fulminant myocarditis with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). The patient had refractory AOSD and cardiogenic shock with significantly elevated ferritin levels. The case was successfully treated with canakinumab and mechanical circulatory support. A review of previous cases shows that myocarditis may be an early complication of AOSD, and the severity of AOSD may correlate with the severity of myocarditis.
CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Norihiro Mimura, Taro Iwamoto, Shunsuke Furuta, Kei Ikeda, Yoshihisa Kobayashi, Takayuki Nakamura, Aiko Saku, Shin-Ichiro Kagami, Ayako Matsuki, Kentaro Takahashi, Takeshi Umibe, Daiki Nakagomi, Yoshie Sanayama, Toyohiko Sugimoto, Masashi Fukuta, Masaki Hiraguri, Hirotoshi Kawashima, Koichi Hirose, Hiroaki Takatori, Kenichi Suehiro, Shigekazu Takahashi, Tomohiro Tamachi, Manami Kato, Fumiyoshi Takizawa, Yuya Kawarai, Shigeo Hagiwara, Junichi Nakamura, Seiji Ohtori, Hiroshi Nakajima
Summary: Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in AAV patients. Methods: Assessment of 186 AAV patients for the presence of ONFH through radiographs and MRI screening. Results: 18% of AAV patients were diagnosed with ONFH, and 64% of them had bilateral ONFH. Prednisolone dose of >= 20 mg/day on day 90 of RIT was identified as an independent risk factor for ONFH. Conclusion: Early detection of precollapse ONFH by MRI and rapid reduction of glucocorticoids in RIT may help prevent the development of ONFH in AAV patients.
Article
Rheumatology
Kazuya Abe, Shunsuke Furuta, Yoshihisa Kobayashi, Takao Sugiyama, Shin-Ichiro Kagami, Daiki Nakagomi, Taro Iwamoto, Kei Ikeda, Hiroshi Nakajima
Summary: This study aimed to assess the association between spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPNM) occurrence and mortality in myositis patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) according to antimelanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody status. The results showed that SPNM was more common in myositis patients who were anti-MDA5 antibody positive, and it was associated with a higher risk of mortality.
Article
Rheumatology
Koto Hattori, Shigeru Tanaka, Junichi Ishikawa, Yoko Yabe, Taro Iwamoto, Shunsuke Furuta, Kei Ikeda, Kotaro Suzuki, Hiroshi Nakajima
Summary: This case report describes a SLE patient who developed VD-VZV during hospitalization. The patient presented with vesicular eruption and subsequent testing confirmed VD-VZV infection.
MODERN RHEUMATOLOGY CASE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Jumpei Shoda, Shigeru Tanaka, Keishi Etori, Koto Hattori, Tadamichi Kasuya, Kei Ikeda, Yuko Maezawa, Akira Suto, Kotaro Suzuki, Junichi Nakamura, Yoshiro Maezawa, Minoru Takemoto, Christer Betsholtz, Koutaro Yokote, Seiji Ohtori, Hiroshi Nakajima
Summary: The expression of semaphorin 3G in CD4(+) T cells is downregulated by MTX treatment in patients with RA, while upregulation of semaphorin 3G in the RA synovium exacerbates joint inflammation through the accumulation of macrophages.
ARTHRITIS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Takahiro Sugiyama, Shunsuke Furuta, Masaki Hiraguri, Kei Ikeda, Yosuke Inaba, Shin-Ichiro Kagami, Yasuhiko Kita, Kei Kobayashi, Yoshihisa Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Kurasawa, Daiki Nakagomi, Yasushi Nawata, Yohei Kawasaki, Yuki Shiko, Takao Sugiyama, Hiroshi Nakajima
Summary: This study identified two subgroups of Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD): the typical group and the elderly-onset group. Although the survival of AOSD patients was generally good, they often experienced relapses. Age >= 65 years at disease onset was identified as a risk factor for relapse.
ARTHRITIS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
