Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ayleen Fernandez-Fierro, Samanta C. Funes, Mariana Rios, Camila Covian, Jorge Gonzalez, Alexis M. Kalergis
Summary: The heme oxygenase (HO) system involves three isoforms, with HO-1 being the most studied and overexpression of this enzyme promoting anti-inflammatory products. However, overexpression of HO leading to neonatal jaundice has prompted the development of inhibitors. Various types of inhibitors have been identified, including competitive and non-competitive ones, with potential medical implications in metabolic diseases and immune-mediated diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Selective inhibition of HO isoforms may contribute to the treatment of these ailments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seung Hyuck Jeon, Changhoon Song, Keun-Yong Eom, In Ah Kim, Jae-Sung Kim, Antonio F. Campese
Summary: Radiotherapy has been found to impact the responses of immune cells, particularly CD8(+) T cells, and has beneficial effects on anti-tumor immunity. Numerous clinical trials are currently evaluating the efficacy of combining radiotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the changes in CD8(+) T cells following radiotherapy, and discusses the underlying biological mechanisms and essential considerations for harnessing radiotherapy as a combination partner for immune checkpoint inhibitors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Bradley N. Mills, Haoming Qiu, Michael G. Drage, Chunmo Chen, Jocelyn S. Mathew, Jesse Garrett-Larsen, Jian Ye, Taylor P. Uccello, Joseph D. Murphy, Brian A. Belt, Edith M. Lord, Alan W. Katz, David C. Linehan, Scott A. Gerber
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the immunomodulation in the tumor microenvironment of human PDAC following SBRT therapy. The results showed reduced tumor cell density and increased immunogenic cells after SBRT treatment.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wei-Dan Jiang, Li Zhang, Lin Feng, Pei Wu, Yang Liu, Sheng-Yao Kuang, Shu-Wei Li, Ling Tang, Hai-Feng Mi, Lu Zhang, Xiao-Qiu Zhou
Summary: This study investigated the effect of vitamin A on gill barrier function in grass carp infected with Flavobacterium columnare. The results showed that optimal vitamin A prevented gill rot morbidity, enhanced gill immunity, and improved antioxidant capacity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuan Hu, Ling Lin, Kehong Liu, Enshuo Liu, Shumin Han, Zhihua Gong, Wenjun Xiao
Summary: With the current trend of global warming, the impairment of heat stress on human health is a serious concern. L-Theanine, a non-protein amino acid found in tea, has various biological activities, including immunoregulatory, anti-anxiety, and anti-oxidation effects. This study investigated the effect of l-theanine on heat stress-induced changes in immune function and its underlying mechanism using male BALB/c mice. The results indicated that l-theanine treatment attenuated heat stress-induced damage, inhibited inflammatory factors, and improved immune function. It is suggested that l-theanine may act through the P38 signaling pathway and regulate HSP27, PPAR-gamma, and Foxp3 proteins.
Review
Neurosciences
Lorenza Magno, Tom D. Bunney, Emma Mead, Fredrik Svensson, Magda N. Bictash
Summary: The central role of resident innate immune cells (microglia) in neurodegeneration has been highlighted through recent studies, particularly focusing on the gene products TREM2 and PLC gamma 2. These insights offer new opportunities for the development of novel therapies in neurodegenerative disorders.
MOLECULAR NEURODEGENERATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lina T. Al Kury, Zainab Taha, Asma Ismail Mahmod, Wamidh H. Talib
Summary: Xanthium spinosum extract and fractions have shown anticancer and immunomodulatory effects, including antiproliferative and apoptotic activities, stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation and phagocytosis, and modulation of cytokine expression. Moreover, treatment with X. spinosum extract and fractions led to a remarkable decrease in tumor size in tumor-bearing mice.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas P. D. Liau, Matthew C. Johnson, Saeed Izadi, Luca Gerosa, Michal Hammel, John M. Bruning, Timothy J. Wendorff, Wilson Phung, Sarah G. Hymowitz, Jawahar Sudhamsu
Summary: The RAS-RAF pathway is commonly dysregulated in human cancers, and the mechanisms underlying RAF activation have been poorly understood. This study presents the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the SHOC2-PP1C-MRAS complex, revealing the molecular architecture and the dependence of RAS isoforms for complex formation. The findings shed light on the specificity of PP1C for RAF activation and provide insights for targeting this pathway with new inhibitors.
Review
Cell Biology
Daniela Alfano, Paola Franco, Maria Patrizia Stoppelli
Summary: uPAR is a multifunctional receptor that coordinates pericellular proteolysis and signal transduction, affecting physiological and pathological mechanisms. It is closely associated with cancer, cell transformation, and inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Maksim V. Baranov, Manoj Kumar, Stefano Sacanna, Shashi Thutupalli, Geert van den Bogaart
Summary: The size, shape, rigidity, and surface roughness of pathogens are important parameters affecting cellular uptake and immune responses, particularly in inflammasome activation and T cell activation. Understanding how the physical properties of particles influence immune responses can assist in the design of more effective vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Cody James Hastings, Grace Elizabeth Himmler, Arpeet Patel, Claudia Nogueira Hora Marques
Summary: Bacterial persister cells, a metabolically dormant subpopulation tolerant to antimicrobials, play a role in chronic infections and evade host immunity. This study focused on the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells to withstand host innate immunity. The research found that persister cells resist complement-mediated killing and are engulfed at a lower rate. Once engulfed, the cells induce a different macrophage polarization pattern compared to regular vegetative cells. These findings provide further understanding of how persister cells contribute to chronic infections and evade the host immune response.
Article
Virology
Tuchakorn Lertwanakarn, Matepiya Khemthong, Puntanut Tattiyapong, Win Surachetpong
Summary: This study investigated the involvement of the MAPK/ERK pathway in the early stages of TiLV infection and found that TiLV infection led to distinct patterns of ERK phosphorylation in two different fish cell lines. The infected E-11 cells showed a substantial decrease in p-ERK levels and exhibited cytopathic effects, while the infected TiB cells had constant p-ERK levels and no cytopathic effects. Suppressing p-ERK significantly reduced TiLV load and gene expression levels in TiB cells. These findings provide new insights into the cellular mechanisms of TiLV infection and may contribute to the development of strategies to control this virus.
Article
Immunology
Qian Xiao, Ceara K. McAtee, Xiaolei Su
Summary: Phase separation is a new biophysical principle in organizing biomolecules into fluidic clusters, with potential implications for immune signaling pathways. The formation of signaling condensates through liquid-liquid phase separation is crucial for understanding how immune responses are regulated in cells. Despite the challenges in fully understanding the mechanisms and functional consequences of these signaling clusters, studies in immunology are expected to provide new perspectives on immune responses.
NATURE REVIEWS IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Diveyaa Sivakumar, Rosmaliza Ramli
Summary: Dental pain management has always been a continuous challenge for clinicians. Understanding the pain signaling mechanisms in the dental pulp and the role of GABA in pain transmission can greatly enhance pain management.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marthe T. van Daal, Gert Folkerts, Johan Garssen, Saskia Braber
Summary: The increase in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is largely attributed to lifestyle factors, particularly dietary habits. High intake of saturated fatty acids and low intake of dietary fiber are linked to the rise in NCDs, while a low intake of saturated fats and a high intake of dietary fiber have a protective effect. Nutritional components can activate specific receptors which modulate the immune system, potentially offering insights for preventing and treating NCDs.
PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
