Review
Immunology
Qifeng Ou, Rachael Power, Matthew D. Griffin
Summary: Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis and have direct modulatory effects on innate immune responses in various acute and chronic diseases. Therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing Treg numbers or potency show promising outcomes in autoimmunity and allogeneic transplants. Furthermore, interactions between Treg and innate immune effectors significantly impact disease severity and treatment. Treg-based therapeutic strategies hold potential for globally impactful inflammatory conditions such as type 2 diabetes, ischemia reperfusion injury, and atherosclerosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Del Gaizo, Ilaria Sergio, Sara Lazzari, Samantha Cialfi, Maria Pelullo, Isabella Screpanti, Maria Pia Felli
Summary: This article reviews the literature on the regulatory role of miRNAs in the immune response of T-ALL, focusing on their roles in Natural Killer, T, T-regulatory, and Myeloid-derived suppressor cells. A better understanding of this molecular crosstalk may provide the basis for the development of potential immunotherapeutic strategies in the field of leukemia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Qinqin Cheng, Zhefu Dai, Xiaojing Shi, Xinping Duan, Yiling Wang, Tianling Hou, Yong Zhang
Summary: Exosomes, as cell-derived extracellular vesicles, are crucial for intercellular communication and have emerged as promising nanocarriers for therapeutic applications. By genetically engineering exosomes, a new type of exosomes called GIFTed-Exos with specific functions can be created to efficiently deliver different types of protein cargos to target cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sebastian Bittner, Brigitte Ruhland, Veronika Hofmann, Lisa Schmidleithner, Kathrin Schambeck, Asmita Pant, Philipp Stueve, Michael Delacher, Bernd Echtenacher, Matthias Edinger, Petra Hoffmann, Michael Rehli, Claudia Gebhard, Nicholas Strieder, Thomas Hehlgans, Markus Feuerer
Summary: In this study, the researchers introduced synthetic biosensors called artificial immune receptors (AIRs) to modulate regulatory T cells (Treg cells). These AIRs enable Treg cells to sense inflammation and activate specific signaling pathways. In animal models, Treg cells expressing AIRs provided better protection against graft-versus-host disease compared to control Treg cells. The expression and signaling of these artificial immune receptors in human Treg cells suggest the potential application of Treg cell-based therapy for various inflammation-driven diseases.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Youngjun Park, Jaebong Jang
Summary: Regulatory T (Treg) cells have a crucial role in immune homeostasis, and their modulation through kinases such as ULK1 may have therapeutic potential in both autoimmunity and cancer. This review discusses the importance of Treg cell modulation, explores the potential role of ULK1 in this process, and summarizes current ULK1 activators and inhibitors as potential strategies for targeting Treg cells.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ella S. Green, Lachlan M. Moldenhauer, Holly M. Groome, David J. Sharkey, Peck Y. Chin, Alison S. Care, Rebecca L. Robker, Shaun R. McColl, Sarah A. Robertson
Summary: Using a mouse model, this study found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) play a crucial role in mediating the effects of progesterone on uterine receptivity by repairing blood vessel remodeling and placental structure, and restoring T cell imbalance in the mother, thereby alleviating fetal loss and growth restriction caused by reduced progesterone signaling.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meimei Zhao, Lu Yao, Xiaowen Zhang, Lichao Wang, Pengfei Tu, Kewu Zeng
Summary: This study introduced a cellular target identification technology for multi-molecule systems using DHBP-bound Fe3O4 nanoparticles with photochemically induced crosslinking capacity. The technology, named the Zhao-Yao (ZY) strategy, has the potential to comprehensively interpret the pharmacological mechanism of multi-molecule systems by globally identifying cellular targets.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Paola de Candia, Claudio Procaccini, Claudia Russo, Maria Teresa Lepore, Giuseppe Matarese
Summary: Regulatory T cells, as key metabolic sensors, play a crucial role in controlling immune state and have promising therapeutic potential for autoimmune and metabolic disorders.
Article
Surgery
Christina R. Hartigan, Katherine P. Tong, Danya Liu, Sonia J. Laurie, Mandy L. Ford
Summary: Belatacept-based immunosuppression in kidney transplantation has fewer off-target toxicities than calcineurin inhibitors, but increases the incidence and severity of acute rejection. TIGIT, a CD28 family coinhibitory receptor expressed on immune cells including Tregs, may ameliorate rejection resistant to costimulation blockade. Treatment with an agonistic anti-TIGIT antibody in combination with costimulation blockade prolonged allograft survival in a murine skin graft model by increasing infiltrating Tregs and reducing CD8+ T cells in the graft.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Cameron W. Paterson, Melissa B. Gutierrez, Craig M. Coopersmith, Mandy L. Ford
Summary: Chronic alcohol use leads to T cell dysregulation within the adaptive immune system. In this study, using a murine model, researchers compared rare splenic subpopulations in alcohol-exposed mice and water-fed controls. The results showed decreased naive T cell populations and alterations in effector regulatory T cell phenotypes in chronic alcohol-induced immune dysfunction.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Ignatius Ryan Adriawan, Faranaz Atschekzei, Oliver Dittrich-Breiholz, Panagiotis Garantziotis, Stefanie Hirsch, Linus Maximillian Risser, Maike Kosanke, Reinhold Ernst Schmidt, Torsten Witte, Georgios Sogkas
Summary: The study found that GCA patients' Tregs have dysregulated pro-inflammatory genes and functions, associated with low glycolysis and calcium signaling pathways in Tregs.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Caroline Dudreuilh, Sumoyee Basu, Cristiano Scotta, Anthony Dorling, Giovanna Lombardi
Summary: Regulatory T cells like Tregs play a crucial role in maintaining immune balance and preventing autoimmune diseases. Specifically, Tfr cells regulate interactions between B cells and Tfh cells, and their potential applications in transplantation and immunosuppression warrant further exploration.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dandan Zhou, Xiuming Zhai, Ruixue Zhang
Summary: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Current tumor markers have limited effectiveness in diagnosing cases at an advanced stage. This study aimed to identify novel potential biomarkers for NSCLC.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Laura M. Wingler, Andrew P. Feld
Summary: Understanding the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is crucial in cardiovascular medicine. Nanobodies, recombinant single-domain antibody fragments, have become important tools to study GPCRs in purified systems and living cells. The use of nanobodies has revealed the characteristics of GPCRs in terms of their structure, pharmacology, and signaling, and has the potential to have a significant impact in both basic science and therapeutic applications.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Merel Rijnsburger, Niek Djuric, Inge A. Mulder, Helga E. de Vries
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, with significant impact on patients and their proxies. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing MS. Adipokines play a crucial role in MS pathology and may have therapeutic potential in targeting neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Charles Whittaker, Oliver J. Watson, Carlos Alvarez-Moreno, Nasikarn Angkasekwinai, Adhiratha Boonyasiri, Luis Carlos Triana, Duncan Chanda, Lantharita Charoenpong, Methee Chayakulkeeree, Graham S. Cooke, Julio Croda, Zulma M. Cucunuba, Bimandra A. Djaafara, Cassia F. Estofolete, Maria-Eugenia Grillet, Nuno R. Faria, Silvia Figueiredo Costa, David A. Forero-Pena, Diana M. Gibb, Anthony C. Gordon, Raph L. Hamers, Arran Hamlet, Vera Irawany, Anupop Jitmuang, Nukool Keurueangkul, Teresia Njoki Kimani, Margarita Lampo, Anna S. Levin, Gustavo Lopardo, Rima Mustafa, Shevanthi Nayagam, Thundon Ngamprasertchai, Ng'ang'a Irene Hannah Njeri, Mauricio L. Nogueira, Esteban Ortiz-Prado, Mauricio W. Perroud, Andrew N. Phillips, Panuwat Promsin, Ambar Qavi, Alison J. Rodger, Ester C. Sabino, Sorawat Sangkaew, Djayanti Sari, Rujipas Sirijatuphat, Andrei C. Sposito, Pratthana Srisangthong, Hayley A. Thompson, Zarir Udwadia, Sandra Valderrama-Beltran, Peter Winskill, Azra C. Ghani, Patrick G. T. Walker, Timothy B. Hallett
Summary: The focus of COVID-19 drug development has been on reducing deaths among hospitalized patients, however, greater public health impact could come from providing drugs to outpatients early in the course of disease to prevent hospitalization and transmission. Early interventions targeting different patient populations and benefits, such as reducing disease severity or infectiousness, could have significant impact, especially in resource-poor settings facing large epidemics.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Letter
Health Care Sciences & Services
Cristhian D. Morales-Plaza, David A. Forero-Pena, Fhabian S. Carrion-Nessi
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
David A. Forero-Pena, Fhabian S. Carrion-Nessi, Daniela L. Mendoza-Millan, Oscar D. Omana-Avila, Mario D. Mejia-Bernard, Natasha A. Camejo-Avila, David M. Flora-Noda, Viledy L. Velasquez, Fabian R. Chacon-Labrador, Juan M. Doval-Fernandez, Andrea L. Maricuto, Maria E. Grillet, Juan V. Hernandez-Villena, Maria F. Vincenti-Gonzalez, Alberto E. Paniz-Mondolfi, Jose Orejas, Veronica Rodriguez, Mariana B. Contreras, Rafael N. Guevara, Martin Carballo, Jocays Caldera, Maria C. Redondo, Maria E. Landaeta
Summary: This study conducted a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 cases in Venezuela during the first epidemic wave, revealing that severe/critical patients were mostly older males with low education levels. Severe/critical patients had significantly higher levels of biochemical markers compared to those with mild/moderate disease. The overall mortality rate was 7.6%, with an expected increase in fatalities in the coming months.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
David A. Forero-Pena, Matthew M. Hernandez, Iriana Paola Mozo Herrera, Ivan Bolivar Collado Espinal, Joselyn Paez Paz, Carlos Ferro, David M. Flora-Noda, Andrea L. Maricuto, Viledy L. Velasquez, Natasha A. Camejo-Avila, Emilia M. Sordillo, Lourdes A. Delgado-Noguera, Luis A. Perez-Garcia, Carlos G. Morantes Rodriguez, Maria Eugenia Landaeta, Alberto E. Paniz-Mondolfi
Summary: Reports have highlighted the potential neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the possibility of treatment for COVID-19 itself exacerbating these symptoms. However, it is currently unknown whether immediate or long-term neuropsychiatric complications may follow SARS-CoV-2 infection.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Yoel D. Garcia, Francisco A. Urena, Fhabian S. Carrion-Nessi, Sol Y. Diaz, Atahualpa A. Avila, Oscar D. Omana-Avila, Diana C. Freitas-De Nobrega, Christian R. Guilliod-Grossmann, Lily M. Soto, Martin Carballo, Maria E. Landaeta, David A. Forero-Pena
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeffrey Lazarus, Diana Romero, Christopher J. Kopka, Salim Abdool Karim, Laith J. Abu-Raddad, Gisele Almeida, Ricardo Baptista-Leite, Joshua A. Barocas, Mauricio L. Barreto, Yaneer Bar-Yam, Quique Bassat, Carolina Batista, Morgan Bazilian, Shu-Ti Chiou, Carlos del Rio, Gregory J. Dore, George F. Gao, Lawrence O. Gostin, Margaret Hellard, Jose L. Jimenez, Gagandeep Kang, Nancy Lee, Mojca Maticic, Martin McKee, Sabin Nsanzimana, Miquel Oliu-Barton, Bary Pradelski, Oksana Pyzik, Kenneth Rabin, Sunil Raina, Sabina Faiz Rashid, Magdalena Rathe, Rocio Saenz, Sudhvir Singh, Malene Trock-Hempler, Sonia Villapol, Peiling Yap, Agnes Binagwaho, Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Ayman El-Mohandes
Summary: Despite scientific and medical advances, political, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors continue to undermine the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A Delphi study involving a diverse panel of experts from 112 countries and territories developed a set of recommendations across various domains to address this global threat to public health.
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
David A. Forero-Pena, Fhabian S. Carrion-Nessi, Oscar D. Omana-Avila, Daniela L. Mendoza-Millan, Sinibaldo R. Romero, Ivan A. Escalante-Perez, Andrea L. Maricuto, Natasha A. Camejo-Avila, Melynar Chavero, Luisamy Figuera, Rosa Contreras, Jaime Torres, Oscar Noya-Gonzalez
TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Fhabian S. Carrion-Nessi, Daniela L. Mendoza-Millan, Oscar D. Omana-Avila, Sinibaldo R. Romero, Augusto Moncada-Ortega, Mary Lopez-Perez, Jaime R. Torres, Oscar Noya-Gonzalez, David A. Forero-Pena
Summary: This study is a case series of five pregnant women with both Plasmodium vivax and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection in Venezuela. The analysis showed that three of the women had severe or critical COVID-19 disease, two died, and three experienced adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. The results highlight the serious health risks faced by pregnant women with co-infection of malaria and COVID-19.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Fhabian S. Carrion-Nessi, Mercedes P. Castro, Diana C. Freitas-De Nobrega, Augusto Moncada-Ortega, Oscar D. Omana-Avila, Daniela L. Mendoza-Millan, Maria Marcano-Rojas, Nayren J. Trejo, Isabella V. Virriel, Melynar Chavero, Natasha A. Camejo-Avila, Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales, David A. Forero-Pena
Summary: This study provides the first description of the clinical-epidemiological behavior of COVID-19 in hospitalized Venezuelan pregnant women. Anemia, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, oligohydramnios, and low birth weight were the most frequent maternal-foetal complications in this population of pregnant women.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lourdes A. Delgado-Noguera, Carlos E. Hernandez-Pereira, Juan David Ramirez, Carolina Hernandez, Natalia Velasquez-Ortiz, Jose Clavijo, Jose Manuel Ayala, David Forero-Pena, Marilianna Marquez, Maria J. Suarez, Luis Traviezo-Valles, Maria Alejandra Escalona, Luis Perez-Garcia, Isis Mejias Carpio, Emilia M. Sordillo, Maria E. Grillet, Martin S. Llewellyn, Juan C. Gabaldon, Alberto E. Paniz Mondolfi
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of a Citizen Science approach in improving the surveillance systems for Chagas Disease (CD) in endemic countries, with a focus on the ecological distribution and transmission pathways of the disease in Venezuela.
PARASITE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alejandro Risquez, Luis Echezuria, Fhabian S. Carrion-Nessi, David A. Forero-Pena
Summary: Viral hepatitis (VH) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Venezuela. The country is experiencing a crisis that has led to the deterioration of healthcare infrastructure, making VH surveillance and diagnosis inadequate. It is crucial to resume epidemiological surveillance and improve the classification system to better understand VH cases and deaths due to sequelae of VHB and VHC.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
David A. A. Forero-Pena, Fhabian S. Carrion-Nessi, Mary Lopez-Perez, Marisol Sandoval-de Mora, Ivan D. Amaya, Angel F. Gamardo, Melynar Chavero, Luisamy Figuera, Maria V. Marcano, Natasha A. Camejo-Avila, Mariana Hidalgo, Cariagne J. J. Arenas, Myriam Arevalo-Herrera, Socrates Herrera
Summary: The co-infections of viral and bacterial pathogens in malaria patients in Venezuela were found to be prevalent and associated with worse clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2023)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mario Comegna, David M. Flora-Noda, Fhabian S. Carrion-Nessi, Ioannis Adamidis, Julio Moreno, Maria E. Landaeta, David A. Forero-Pena
TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales, Maria Camila Lopez-Echeverri, Maria Fernanda Perez-Raga, Valentina Quintero-Romero, Valentina Valencia-Gallego, Nicolas Galindo-Herrera, Santiago Lopez-Alzate, Juan Diego Sanchez-Vinasco, Juan Jose Gutierrez-Vargas, Percy Mayta-Tristan, Rola Husni, Rima Moghnieh, Joseph Stephan, Wissam Faour, Samah Tawil, Hanane Barakat, Toufic Chaaban, Andre Megarbane, Youssef Rizk, Rania Sakr, Juan Pablo Escalera-Antezana, Lucia E. Alvarado-Arnez, D. Katterine Bonilla-Aldana, German Camacho-Moreno, Henry Mendoza, Ivan Arturo Rodriguez-Sabogal, Jose Millan-Onate, Gustavo Lopardo, Alexandre Naime Barbosa, Sergio Cimerman, Tania do Socorro Souza Chaves, Tomas Orduna, Susana Lloveras, Andrea G. Rodriguez-Morales, Monica Thormann, Patricia Gabriela Zambrano, Clevy Perez, Nancy Sandoval, Lysien Zambrano, Carlos A. Alvarez-Moreno, Enrique Chacon-Cruz, Wilmer E. Villamil-Gomez, Vicente Benites-Zapata, Eduardo Savio-Larriera, Jaime A. Cardona-Ospina, Alejandro Risquez, David A. Forero-Pena, Andres F. Henao-Martinez, Ranjit Sah, Joshuan J. Barboza, Darwin A. Leon-Figueroa, Jaime David Acosta-Espana, Carmen Maria Carrero-Gonzalez, Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq, Ali A. Rabaan, Hakan Leblebicioglu, Jose A. Gonzales-Zamora, Rolando Ulloa-Gutierrez
TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Fhabian S. Carrion-Nessi, Maria Marcano-Rojas, Sinibaldo R. Romero Arocha, Daniela L. Mendoza Millan, David A. Forero-Pena, Allen W. Antuarez-Magallanes, Soham Al Snih, Martin A. Rodriguez, Yurilis J. Fuentes-Silva
Summary: This study assessed the impact of demographic, clinical, and treatment compliance characteristics on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Venezuelan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Age and disease activity were negatively correlated with almost all domains of HRQoL, while treatment compliance was associated with higher scores in the physical health domain.
