Article
Oncology
Xiaonan Zhang, Berthold Schalke, Krisztian Kvell, Katharina Kriegsmann, Mark Kriegsmann, Thomas Graeter, Gerhard Preissler, German Ott, Katrin Kurz, Elena Bulut, Philipp Stroebel, Alexander Marx, Djeda Belharazem
Summary: This study found that WNT4 expression is increased in thymomas and thymic carcinomas compared to non-neoplastic thymi. In 2D culture, the expression and secretion of WNT4 decreased in neoplastic thymic epithelial cells. However, when cultured in medium supplemented with recombinant WNT4 or in 3D spheroids, the growth of thymic epithelial cells was accompanied by increased expression of non-canonical targets RAC1 and JNK. Down-regulation of WNT4 resulted in cell death in thymic epithelial cells derived from B3 thymomas.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rumi Higuchi, Taichiro Goto, Yosuke Hirotsu, Sotaro Otake, Toshio Oyama, Kenji Amemiya, Hiroshi Ohyama, Hitoshi Mochizuki, Masao Omata
Summary: This study evaluated the microbiota in resected thymoma samples and identified Sphingomonas and Phenylobacterium as dominant genera in thymomas. The research suggests a potential approach for preventing thymoma development as a new precision medicine. The study also revealed differences in bacterial diversity between type A and type B thymomas.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Vanessa Nicoli, Fabio Coppede
Summary: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) arise from the epithelial cells of the thymus and account for 1% of all adult malignancies, despite being the most common lesions of the anterior mediastinum. TETs can be classified into different subtypes, including thymomas, thymic carcinomas, and neuroendocrine forms. The challenge lies in the diagnosis and characterization of TETs due to the lack of symptoms and the presence of paraneoplastic disorders. Epigenetic profiling has been explored as a potential tool for tumor characterization and clinical outcomes prediction.
Review
Immunology
Manpreet K. Semwal, Nicholas E. Jones, Ann V. Griffith
Summary: The thymus is crucial for T lymphocyte development, with thymic stromal cells playing an important role. Metabolic regulation of thymic stromal cell function is an emerging area of study.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhongwei Xin, Mingjie Lin, Zhixing Hao, Di Chen, Yongyuan Chen, Xiaoke Chen, Xia Xu, Jinfan Li, Dang Wu, Ying Chai, Pin Wu
Summary: In this study, the developmental pattern of intra-tumoral T-cells in human thymic epithelial tumors (TET) was analyzed by single cell analysis. Three types of TETs were identified based on the characteristics of tumor cells and their effects on T-cell development. The molecular subtypes of TETs were found to determine their tumor immune microenvironment, and GNB3 and CHI3L1 might serve as predictors for the immunological behavior and prognosis of these tumors.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Shiyun Xiao, Wen Zhang, Jie Li, Nancy R. Manley
Summary: This study found that Lin28 plays a critical regulatory role in TECs by modulating MHCII expression and TEC proliferation, thus influencing thymic development and differentiation. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying TEC differentiation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anja Nusser, Sagar, Jeremy B. Swann, Brigitte Krauth, Dagmar Diekhoff, Lesly Calderon, Christiane Happe, Dominic Gruen, Thomas Boehm
Summary: T cell development in the thymus is dependent on the organotypic thymic epithelial microenvironment. Using a combination of scRNA-seq and a novel CRISPR-Cas9-based cellular barcoding system, this study identified two principal progenitor populations in the thymic epithelium and revealed qualitative and quantitative changes in the thymic epithelium over time.
Article
Oncology
Huiyang Li, Bo Ren, Shili Yu, Hongwen Gao, Ping-Li Sun
Summary: This study investigated the expression of six novel thymic epithelial markers in thymic tumors and explored their correlation with histological classification, Masaoka-Koga stage, and prognosis. The results demonstrated that these markers could be used as ancillary markers in the diagnosis and prognosis of thymic epithelial tumors.
Article
Immunology
Martti Laan, Ahto Salumets, Annabel Klein, Kerli Reintamm, Rudolf Bichele, Hedi Peterson, Part Peterson
Summary: The study provides insights into the role of Aire-positive mTECs in central tolerance induction and the potential contribution of post-Aire mTECs and Hassall's corpuscles to the thymic microenvironment. The analysis suggests a novel mechanism by which late-stage mTECs in humans display a distinct pro-inflammatory signature.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jason A. Carter, Leonie Stroemich, Matthew Peacey, Sarah R. Chapin, Lars Velten, Lars M. Steinmetz, Benedikt Brors, Sheena Pinto, Hannah Meyer
Summary: This study reveals the transcriptomic diversity of mTECs in the thymus and establishes a web portal for querying their transcriptome, which may aid in identifying the drivers of autoimmune diseases.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Masatoshi Kitakaze, Ryota Chijimatsu, Andrea Vecchione, Toru Kitagawa, Yuichiro Doki, Hidetoshi Eguchi, Hideshi Ishii
Summary: Recent advances in deciphering the human genome have allowed a better understanding of age-associated transformations, including gene functional interactions and the impact of single cell mechanisms on aging and disease. Genomic age is defined by a combination of inherited and acquired genetic traits, influenced by internal and external factors, leading to diseases such as cancer and cell degeneration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kostas Palamaris, Georgia Levidou, Katerina Kordali, Christos Masaoutis, Dimitra Rontogianni, Stamatios Theocharis
Summary: Immunohistochemical analysis of Hippo cascade components (YAP, TAZ, TEAD4 and LATS1) in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) revealed associations between TAZ and TEAD4 with aggressive tumors and advanced stages, while YAP showed associations with indolent and earlier stage tumors. However, none of these components were significantly correlated with patient overall or disease-free survival.
Review
Immunology
Tatsuya Ishikawa, Nobuko Akiyama, Taishin Akiyama
Summary: Peripheral T cells are crucial components of the adaptive immune system, capable of distinguishing between self and non-self antigens. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play a key role in orchestrating the development and selection of self-tolerant T cells. Recent studies have uncovered the heterogeneity of TECs, but the identity of adult thymic TEC progenitors remains unclear.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yong-Qiang Ao, Jian Gao, Shuai Wang, Jia-Hao Jiang, Jie Deng, Hai-Kun Wang, Bei Xu, Jian-Yong Ding
Summary: Immunotherapy has become increasingly important in cancer treatment, particularly the use of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in thymic epithelial tumors. However, the high incidence of immune-related adverse events poses challenges and requires further understanding of the underlying mechanisms and development of effective prevention and management strategies.
Article
Oncology
Minoru Matsumoto, Takuya Ohmura, Yuto Hanibuchi, Mayuko Ichimura-Shimizu, Yasuyo Saijo, Hirohisa Ogawa, Ryuichiro Miyazawa, Junko Morimoto, Koichi Tsuneyama, Mitsuru Matsumoto, Takeshi Oya
Summary: Despite the physiological distinction between cTECs and mTECs, the origin of TCs and other thymic epithelial tumors has been unclear. By studying the mTEC-specific transcriptional regulator AIRE, it was found that a significant proportion of TCs express AIRE with characteristic nuclear dot morphology. This expression was supported by RNA-seq data and further analysis revealed that TCs exhibit molecular characteristics of multiple mTEC subpopulations, suggesting their derivation from mTECs.
Article
Oncology
Markus Bo Schoenberg, Julian Nikolaus Bucher, Donnuik Koch, Nikolaus Boerner, Sebastian Hesse, Enrico Narciso De Toni, Max Seidensticker, Martin Kurt Angele, Christoph Klein, Alexandr Bazhin, Jens Werner, Markus Otto Guba
ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Review
Immunology
Emilie J. Cosway, Kieran D. James, Beth Lucas, Graham Anderson, Andrea J. White
Summary: Alpha beta T cells are essential components of effective immune responses, comprising subsets like CD4(+) helper cells, CD8(+) cytotoxic cells, and Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells. Their development in the thymus is crucial, with studies highlighting the critical role of the thymus medulla in shaping the peripheral T cell pool.
SEMINARS IN IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Kieran D. James, Daniel F. Legler, Vladimir Purvanov, Izumi Ohigashi, Yousuke Takahama, Sonia M. Parnell, Andrea J. White, William E. Jenkinson, Graham Anderson
Summary: The release of newly selected alpha beta T cells from the thymus is crucial for establishing a functional adaptive immune system, particularly the emigration of the first cohorts of cells during the neonatal period. The study demonstrated the importance of CCL21 in neonatal thymus emigration, highlighting its role in the initial formation of the peripheral immune system. Additionally, an intrathymic mechanism involving cell-specific production and presentation of CCL21 was identified, showing a functional synergy between thymic epithelial and mesenchymal cells in alpha beta T-cell emigration.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alexander Weich, Dorothee Rogoll, Sophia Gawlas, Lars Mayer, Wolfgang Weich, Judit Pongracz, Theodor Kudlich, Alexander Meining, Michael Scheurlen
Summary: Loss of Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2) expression and rising CXC Chemokine Receptor Type 4 (CXCR4) expression are associated with dedifferentiation in neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling may promote a more aggressive phenotype in NET. Modulation of the Wnt pathway influences CXCR4 expression and function in NET cell lines, suggesting it may enhance the efficacy of CXCR4-directed therapies or inhibit CXCR4-dependent proliferative signaling.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
ElHusseiny M. M. Abdelwahab, Judit Bovari-Biri, Gabor Smuk, Janos Fillinger, Donald McPhail, Vera P. Krymskaya, Judit E. Pongracz
Summary: This study investigates the deregulation of cell death processes in TSC mutation, and identifies a potential treatment strategy involving the use of Proxison and rapamycin in combination to increase ROS production, modify miRNA expression pattern, and reduce cell viability.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Jaromi, Veronika Csongei, Monika Vesel, ElHusseiny Mohamed Mahmud Abdelwahab, Amina Soltani, Zsofia Torok, Gabor Smuk, Veronika Sarosi, Judit Erzsebet Pongracz
Summary: This study found that KRAS and EGFR driver mutations have differential effects on drug transporter expression and cisplatin-induced WNT signaling microenvironment in lung adenocarcinoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Dong Li, Zhisong Pan, Guyu Hu, Graham Anderson, Shan He
Summary: Identifying active modules in biological networks is crucial for understanding regulatory and signaling mechanisms. Existing methods rely on protein-protein interaction or metabolic networks, while the newly proposed AMOUNTAIN algorithm utilizes weighted gene co-expression networks to identify active modules, even in cross-species and dynamic contexts.
IEEE-ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Abdullah S. S. Alawam, Emilie J. J. Cosway, Kieran D. D. James, Beth Lucas, Andrea Bacon, Sonia M. M. Parnell, Andrea J. J. White, William E. E. Jenkinson, Graham Anderson
Summary: The thymus plays a crucial role in immune tolerance by synchronizing thymocyte development and selection. However, after bone marrow transplantation, a functional uncoupling of these processes can lead to post-transplant tolerance loss and autoimmunity. This is primarily caused by selective failures in thymus medulla regeneration, resulting in ineffective tolerance mechanisms and autoimmune reconstitution.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Monika I. Linder, Yoko Mizoguchi, Sebastian Hesse, Gergely Csaba, Megumi Tatematsu, Marcin Lyszkiewicz, Natalia Zietara, Tim Jeske, Maximilian Hastreiter, Meino Rohlfs, Yanshan Liu, Piotr Grabowski, Kaarin Ahomaa, Daniela Maier-Begandt, Marko Schwestka, Vahid Pazhakh, Abdulsalam I. Isiaku, Brenda Briones Miranda, Piers Blombery, Megumu K. Saito, Ejona Rusha, Zahra Alizadeh, Zahra Pourpak, Masao Kobayashi, Nima Rezaei, Ekrem Unal, Fabian Hauck, Micha Drukker, Barbara Walzog, Juri Rappsilber, Ralf Zimmer, Graham J. Lieschke, Christoph Klein
Summary: This study discovered two novel genetic defects in SRPRA and SRP19 genes, which are involved in the differentiation of neutrophil granulocytes. Proteome analysis of neutrophil granulocytes from patients with variants in SRP genes revealed global and specific proteome aberrations. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the crucial role of SRP-dependent protein processing, intracellular trafficking, and homeostasis in neutrophil granulocyte differentiation.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Judit Bovari-Biri, Kitti Garai, Krisztina Banfai, Veronika Csongei, Judit E. Pongracz
Summary: The human body has multiple barriers to protect it from harm and maintain its integrity. These barriers include the skin, intestinal and respiratory epithelia, blood-brain barrier, and immune system. This review focuses on the physical barriers formed by cell layers and emphasizes the role of microRNA in maintaining the integrity of these barriers. Detecting changes in microRNA patterns has become important in diagnostics, prognosis, and therapy-response markers. The review also highlights the challenges in using liquid biopsies for assessing barrier integrity and differential microRNA detection.
Article
Cell Biology
Judit Bovari-Biri, ElHusseiny Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelwahab, Kitti Garai, Judit E. Pongracz
Summary: TSC mutations are associated with various cancers, and they are related to mitochondrial dysfunction, tolerance to oxidative stress, and ER stress. Rapamycin is a drug that inhibits protein synthesis in cancer treatment. Combining rapamycin with auranofin can reduce Prdx5 protein and induce apoptosis in TSC2 mutant cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emilie J. Cosway, Kieran D. James, Andrea J. White, Sonia M. Parnell, Andrea Bacon, Andrew N. J. Mckenzie, W. E. Jenkinson, Graham Anderson
Summary: The study demonstrates the importance of interleukin 33 (IL-33) in thymus regeneration, showing that it stimulates the expansion of innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) and triggers the production of IL-4 by eosinophils, leading to the recovery of thymus mesenchyme.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tamas Kalai, Judit Erzsebet Pongracz, Peter Matyus
Summary: This passage discusses the threat of viruses, particularly RNA viruses, to global health. It focuses on the widespread HIV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 infections, as well as the role of vaccination and pharmacotherapy in their prevention and treatment. The passage also reviews approved virus and host-targeting drugs, as well as new drug candidates and lead molecules. The importance of vaccination and drug therapy, their strategic significance in combating pandemics, and the pros and cons of host and virus-targeted drug therapy are discussed. The passage emphasizes the need for novel broad-spectrum vaccines and oral drugs to combat emerging viral diseases and highlights the inevitability of using multi-data-based precision medicine in vaccination and drug therapy practices.
CHEMISTRY-SWITZERLAND
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Amina Soltani, Bela Kajtar, El Husseiny Mohamed Mahmud Abdelwahab, Anita Steib, Zsolt Horvath, Laszlo Mangel, Luca Jaromi, Judit E. Pongracz
Summary: The study found that the immune microenvironment of meningioma (MNG) and glioblastoma (GBM) is similar, both exhibiting immunosuppressive characteristics, including elevated levels of regulatory T cells and tumor-associated macrophages. This information can aid in the selection of the best immune therapy or other treatment options.
Article
Toxicology
Francisc Boda, Krisztina Banfai, Kitti Garai, Bela Kovacs, Attila Almasi, Dalma Scheffer, Reka Lambertne Sinkler, Robert Csonka, Tamas Czompoly, Krisztian Kvell
JOURNAL OF VENOMOUS ANIMALS AND TOXINS INCLUDING TROPICAL DISEASES
(2020)