Article
Immunology
Vaibhvi Vaibhvi, Sven Kuenzel, Thomas Roeder
Summary: The immune organs of the fruit fly, Drosophila, namely the fat body and hemocytes, show distinct responses to systemic infection. The fat body exhibits improved peptide synthesis and export, while hemocytes display enhanced phagocytic signatures.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Yafei Guo, Ping Lin, Yimin Hua, Chuan Wang
Summary: This review comprehensively overviews the structure, expression, and regulation of TRIM31 in cancer, discussing its dual role and influence on multiple cellular signaling pathways.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jian Hu, Xiangping Feng, Li Yao, Meng Meng, Yan Du, Yipei Dong, Zhenkun Song, Mengli Tian, Yu Chen
Summary: This study identified a novel protein, OfEPP1, in Ostrinia furnacalis larvae that promotes encapsulation response in insect hemocytes. OfEPP1 is a thermally stable, intronless gene encoding protein with repetitive sequences and high proline content. Eukaryotically expressed recombinant OfEPP1 induces hemocyte aggregation by binding to their surface, while posttranscriptional modifications affect its function. Antibodies against OfEPP1 or dsRNA targeting OfEpp1 can neutralize or disrupt its encapsulation-promoting function.
JOURNAL OF INNATE IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Daniele Bruno, Aurora Montali, Marzia Gariboldi, Anna Katarzyna Wronska, Agata Kaczmarek, Amr Mohamed, Ling Tian, Morena Casartelli, Gianluca Tettamanti
Summary: This study provides the first detailed characterization of black soldier fly hemocytes and reveals new insights into the cell-mediated immune response of this insect. The study identifies five hemocyte types involved in the immune response in the larva and analyzes their behavior, role, and morphofunctional changes. The results demonstrate that circulating phagocytes in black soldier fly larvae are plasmatocytes, which participate in nodulation and encapsulation with granulocytes and lamellocyte-like cells.
Article
Developmental Biology
Beryl N. Arinda, Yacoub A. Innabi, Juris A. Grasis, Nestor J. Oviedo
Summary: This article explores the additional roles of immune cells and their interactions with stem cells in regulating tissue repair and regeneration.
Article
Biology
Suzuko Kinoshita, Kazuki Takarada, Yuriko Kinoshita, Yoshihiro H. Inoue
Summary: The mechanisms through which the innate immune system recognizes and eliminates cancer cells remain unclear. In this study using Drosophila, researchers found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulated in hemocytes due to the induction of dual oxidase and its activators, leading to the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) and suppression of tumor growth. The study also revealed that matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 2 (MMP1 and MMP2) were highly expressed in tumors, resulting in the disassembly of basement membrane and activation of ROS production in hemocytes. These findings shed light on how macrophage-like hemocytes recognize tumor cells and induce AMP production, contributing to the understanding of the role of the innate immune system in cancer.
Review
Immunology
Saima Kausar, Muhammad Nadeem Abbas, Isma Gul, Yu Liu, Bo-Ping Tang, Iram Maqsood, Qiu-Ning Liu, Li-Shang Dai
Summary: Integrins, a large group of cell-surface proteins classified as transmembrane proteins, play crucial roles in various biological functions such as cell-to-cell communication, intracellular cytoskeleton organization, cellular signaling, and immune responses. They are indispensable in insect physiology and can be a novel target for designing effective pest control strategies.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Melanie Munoz, Nathan Lin, Rickie Lin, Brannen King, Lisa D. Brown
Summary: This study investigated the immune defense mechanisms in cat fleas and found that the antimicrobial activity of flea hemolymph increased in response to certain species of bacteria, the number of circulating hemocytes increased in response to E. coli infection, and these cells displayed strong phagocytic activity against the bacterium. The study provides significant insight into how fleas interact with bacterial pathogens and suggests that cellular and humoral immune responses cooperate to combat bacterial infections.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Fan Xin, Xiaobo Zhang
Summary: In this study, the characteristics of hemocytes in two representative crustaceans, Marsupenaeus japonicus and Procambarus clarkii, were analyzed using single-cell RNA sequencing. The results revealed that there were 11 and 12 types of hemocytes in shrimp and crayfish, respectively. These different types of hemocytes specifically expressed potential marker genes. Based on the responses to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge, four types of immune hemocytes in crustaceans were classified. This study provides the first classification of crustacean hemocytes and immune hemocytes at the single-cell resolution, which is important for understanding the innate immunity of invertebrates.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Stella Bergmann, Jan-Phillipp Gerhards, Anne Schmitz, Stefanie C. Becker, Michael Stern
Summary: Insects lack adaptive immune system like vertebrates but relies on innate immune system to respond to a broad variety of pathogens. The study evaluated cytotoxic gaseous radical nitric oxide (NO) production in response to immune stimuli in Locusta migratoria, showing an influence on the central nervous system. The findings contribute to understanding neuroimmune interactions in insects.
Article
Cell Biology
Fabio Grassi, Benedetta De Ponte Conti
Summary: eATP, as a danger-associated molecular pattern, plays a role in immune response by stimulating P2 receptors. However, its impact in the tumor microenvironment is complex and not well-established.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Colleen A. Mangold, David P. Hughes
Summary: Many organisms have the ability to influence the behavior of other organisms, but the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Research suggests changes in immune signaling may be related to neuron function and health, but there is a lack of data on how altered neuroimmune communication affects insect neuron function and the role of glial cells. Studying the relationship between insect immune and nervous systems can provide insights into behavioral manipulation.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yong Li, Xianying Meng, Guang Chen, Yue Hou, Xuan Wu, Jialiang Wang, Xiuxiu Cong, Kuirong Mao, Chenxi Wu, Hongmei Chen, Xu Sun, Jingjing Zhou, Ye Wang, Yong-Guang Yang, Tianmeng Sun
Summary: Cancer immunotherapy using immune checkpoint blockade is a promising treatment option for various cancers. However, the role of JQ1, an indirect inhibitor of MYC, in regulating the expression of CD47 in tumor cells remains unclear. This study found that JQ1 failed to downregulate CD47 expression and unexpectedly upregulated CD47 expression at high concentrations. To enhance the antitumor effect of JQ1, cationic lipid nanoparticles encapsulating JQ1 and CD47-specific siRNA were prepared. These nanoparticles effectively downregulated both PD-L1 and CD47 expression and exhibited enhanced antitumor effects in a mouse model of breast cancer. These findings suggest a synergistic effect of simultaneous PD-L1 and CD47 downregulation and provide a novel strategy for improving the antitumor effects of JQ1.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Si-Yu Wu, Yi Xiao, Jin-Li Wei, Xiao-En Xu, Xi Jin, Xin Hu, Da-Qiang Li, Yi-Zhou Jiang, Zhi-Ming Shao
Summary: This study identified two distinct microenvironment phenotypes, 'inflamed' and 'non-inflamed', within the classic basal-like subtype of TNBC, and revealed that MYC amplification and overexpression led to the formation of the non-inflamed TIME. Combination therapy with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor and immunotherapy reversed T cell exhaustion and improved T cell function, resulting in potent antitumor activity in MYC-overexpressing TNBC.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manigandan Krishnan, Joonhyeok Choi, Ahjin Jang, Sungjae Choi, Jiwon Yeon, Mihee Jang, Yeongjoon Lee, Kkabi Son, Soon Young Shin, Myeong Seon Jeong, Yangmee Kim
Summary: This article investigates the molecular mechanism underlying the TLR4-signaling and antibacterial activities of papiliocin and finds that it can inhibit LPS-induced TLR4 signaling by binding to TLR4/MD-2 and causing dissociation of LPS from the complex, thus combating gram-negative bacteria infection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Naomi L. P. Keehnen, Lucie Kucerova, Soren Nylin, Ulrich Theopold, Christopher W. Wheat
Summary: The study found that infection with different bacteria species resulted in different physiological tradeoffs in the butterfly Pieris napi, affecting weight loss, development rate, mortality, and other life history parameters. Individuals infected with Micrococcus luteus had a higher mortality rate and lower pupal weight, while those infected with Escherichia coli showed less pronounced tradeoffs between homeostasis and immune response. Males also exhibited a more negative impact of infection than females.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Naomi L. P. Keehnen, Lisa Fors, Peter Jarver, Anna-Lena Spetz, Soren Nylin, Ulrich Theopold, Christopher W. Wheat
Summary: Insects rely on their innate immune system to interact with their microbiota, with populations of butterflies found to differ in phagocytic capability and genetic variation related to phagocytosis. Enrichment analysis identified genes involved in glutamine metabolism as potentially underlying these phenotypic differences.
Article
Cell Biology
Yu-Hsien Lin, Houda Ouns Maaroufi, Lucie Kucerova, Lenka Rouhova, Tomas Filip, Michal Zurovec
Summary: The study showed that Adenosine signaling plays a role in mitigating mortality caused by mutant huntingtin protein in Drosophila, achieved by modulating Adenosine metabolic enzymes and receptors. It also demonstrated that a decrease in Adenosine signaling affects other stress responses in Drosophila.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Dilan Khalili, Christina Kalcher, Stefan Baumgartner, Ulrich Theopold
Summary: The study reveals that expressing a dominant-active form of the Ras oncogene in Drosophila salivary glands leads to fibrotic lesions, which can be alleviated by the antimicrobial peptide drosomycin. This fibrotic lesion is characterized by disturbed basement membrane attracting clot components and a loss of cell polarity.
JOURNAL OF INNATE IMMUNITY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Ulrich Theopold, Antonio Barragan
Summary: The study identified a TRP-like channel in Toxoplasma gondii and demonstrated its involvement in crucial processes such as parasite invasion and egress from host cells, shedding light on how parasites sense and respond to changes in the cellular environments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michal Rindos, Lucie Kucerova, Lenka Rouhova, Hana Sehadova, Michal Sery, Miluse Hradilova, Peter Konik, Michal Zurovec
Summary: This study revealed the differences in mechanical properties between the silk of Pseudoips prasinana and Bombyx mori, attributing it to a higher content of fibrohexamerin and fibrohexamerin-like molecules. Additionally, P. prasinana cocoons were found to contain a second, minor silk type only present at the escape valve.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
A. Dziedziech, U. Theopold
Summary: This study provides evidence for the ancient origin of pyroptosis in Drosophila melanogaster, showing that the inflammatory based programmed cell death mechanism fits the features of pyroptosis and relies on ancient apoptotic machinery.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Braulio Martinez De La Cruz, Robert Markus, Sunir Malla, Maria Isabel Haig, Chris Gell, Fei Sang, Eleanor Bellows, Mahmoud Awad Sherif, Denise McLean, Anbarasu Lourdusamy, Tim Self, Zsuzsanna Bodi, Stuart Smith, Michael Fay, Ian A. Macdonald, Rupert Fray, Helen Miranda Knight
Summary: The process of m(6)A demethylation by ALKBH5 plays a crucial role in synaptic plasticity, RNA modification, and regulation. The YTHDF1 and YTHFDF3 reader proteins exhibit different functions at different stages, with cellular context being a fundamental factor in determining regulated pathways.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stylianos Bakoulis, Robert Krautz, Nicolas Alcaraz, Marco Salvatore, Robin Andersson
Summary: Transposable elements are an abundant source of transcription factor binding sites, and they regulate gene expression in specific cell types through their association with open chromatin regions. Different subfamilies of transposable elements contribute differently to pluripotency regulatory programs through their repertoires of transcription factor binding site sequences.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jocelyn L. Y. Tang, Anna E. Hakes, Robert Krautz, Takumi Suzuki, Esteban G. Contreras, Paul M. Fox, Andrea H. Brand
Summary: Temporal patterning of neural progenitors is a strategy for generating neuronal diversity, but the known factors cannot explain the diversity in adult brain. With the NanoDam technology, Homeobrain and Scarecrow were identified as additional temporal factors. These factors play a role in middle-aged and late neural progenitors and are also conserved in the developing visual system.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jelle van den Ameele, Robert Krautz, Seth W. Cheetham, Alex P. A. Donovan, Oriol Llora-Batlle, Rebecca Yakob, Andrea H. Brand
Summary: The Notch signalling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating cell fate transitions and has diverse functions in the brain, including promoting neural stem cell proliferation and regulating neuronal migration and maturation. This study identified the binding of NOTCH and RBPJ to a wide network of NSC genes in the mouse embryonic cerebral cortex and found that repression of NSC-specific Notch target genes in intermediate progenitors and neurons is associated with decreased chromatin accessibility, suggesting a potential mechanism for restricting NOTCH-mediated transactivation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Mohammad Zeeshan, Declan Brady, Robert Markus, Sue Vaughan, David Ferguson, Anthony A. Holder, Rita Tewari
Summary: This article discusses the role of the centriole/basal body in Plasmodium, as well as the localization and interactions of SAS4 during basal body formation and mitosis. The study shows that SAS4 is part of the basal body and outer centriolar MTOC in the cytoplasm, and its deletion does not affect male gamete formation or parasite transmission.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Houda Ouns Maaroufi, Lucie Pauchova, Yu-Hsien Lin, Bulah Chia-Hsiang Wu, Lenka Rouhova, Lucie Kucerova, Ligia Cota Vieira, Marek Renner, Hana Sehadova, Miluse Hradilova, Michal Zurovec
Summary: This study investigated the role of the cnt1 gene in male fertility using fruit flies. The mutants exhibited defects in copulation duration and spermatid maturation, particularly in the abnormal structure of the sperm tail. These findings highlight the importance of cnt1 in male fertility and suggest its involvement in nucleoside transport and associated metabolic pathways.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucas van Duin, Robert Krautz, Sarah Rennie, Robin Andersson
Summary: This study investigates the regulatory determinants of gene co-activity in genomic domains using individual variation in gene expression. The researchers identify co-regulatory processes underlying co-activity and quantify their effect sizes. They find that transcription factor expression levels are the main determinant of gene co-activity, with distal trans effects contributing more than local genetic variation.
MOLECULAR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jocelyn L. Y. Tang, Robert Krautz, Oriol Llora- Batlle, Anna E. Hakes, Paul M. Fox, Andrea H. Brand
Summary: NanoDam is a technique for genome-wide profiling of chromatin-binding protein binding targets without the need for antibodies, crosslinking, or immunoprecipitation. This protocol has been successfully applied in Drosophila and can be easily adapted for use in other model systems with simple modifications.