Article
Immunology
Luke S. Uebelhoer, Agnes Gwela, Bonnie Thiel, Sophie Nalukwago, John Mukisa, Christopher Lwanga, Justine Getonto, Emily Nyatichi, Grace Dena, Alexander Makazi, Shalton Mwaringa, Ezekiel Mupere, James A. Berkley, Christina L. Lancioni, Childhood Acute Illness
Summary: Severely ill children in low- and middle-income countries experience high mortality rates from infectious diseases, and the risk of infection-related death is compounded by undernutrition. This study found that T cell function is impaired and innate immune responses are exaggerated in acutely ill children. Nutritional status is associated with the magnitude of cytokine responses. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of innate immune dysregulation in this population.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiangxiang Xu, Meng Zhang, Xiaoyan Liu, Mingze Chai, Lu Diao, Lin Ma, Shuang Nie, Minghao Xu, Yipeng Wang, Fengfeng Mo, Mi Liu
Summary: Probiotics play a crucial role in immune modulation and can potentially enhance the effectiveness of cancer vaccines. Lipid membrane coating of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum improves their activity and colonization in the colon. The combination of probiotics formulation with cancer nanovaccines shows promising preventive and therapeutic efficacy in colon cancer mouse models.
Article
Fisheries
Yusuf Jibril Habib, Haifu Wan, Yulong Sun, Jialong Shi, Chengjie Yao, Jiaming Lin, Hui Ge, Yilei Wang, Ziping Zhang
Summary: This study conducted a genome-wide study of Toll-like receptor genes in Pacific white shrimps for the first time, identifying 11 TLR genes. The majority of these genes were found to be ubiquitously expressed in various tissues and significantly upregulated at different time points after infection, suggesting their significant roles in the immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei.
Article
Immunology
Michal Shahar, Auryan Szalat, Haim Rosen
Summary: Actin-based tunneling nanotubes are a form of intercellular communication linked to responses to environmental changes. While widely described in various cell types, their expression in vivo or in primary cells is limited, and their significance for health and disease remains largely unknown. This study on primary human peripheral monocytes reveals that certain stimuli induce a transient expression of actin-based tunneling nanotubes, suggesting a potential role in monocyte pathogen response and inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mohammad Azharuddin, Geyunjian Harry Zhu, Anirban Sengupta, Jorma Hinkula, Nigel K. H. Slater, Hirak K. Patra
Summary: Despite the success of conventional vaccines, which are based on attenuated or altered microorganisms, they are not effective for all microbes and may fail to elicit a protective immune response and even pose unexpected safety risks. The expanding field of nanotechnology offers a variety of nanoparticle-based platforms that can overcome these challenges and induce specific immune responses, suggesting exciting and novel solutions for future personalized nanovaccines.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anna T. Lampe, Eric J. Farris, Deborah M. Brown, Angela K. Pannier
Summary: The study found that both low-molecular-weight (LMW) and high-molecular-weight (HMW) chitosan can serve as adjuvants, enhancing vaccine-induced immune responses and reducing morbidity following homologous virus challenge.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Dania Zhivaki, Emily A. Gosselin, Debrup Sengupta, Holly Concepcion, Chisom Arinze, Jonathan Chow, Anastasia Nikiforov, Veronica Komoroski, Carolyn Macfarlane, Caitlin Sullivan, Jonathan C. Kagan
Summary: It has been discovered that mRNA-encoded cGAS increment N can act as a catalytic adjuvant in LNP-encapsulated mRNA vaccines. When delivered to DCs, it induces immune-stimulating responses and enhances antigen-specific T cell responses. This strategy results in durable T cell responses and does not compromise B cell responses, while also inducing Th1-biased antibody isotypes.
Review
Immunology
Giuseppe Stefanetti, Francesco Borriello, Barbara Richichi, Ivan Zanoni, Luigi Lay
Summary: Carbohydrates play a critical role in immunobiological processes and can be used as antigens or adjuvants in vaccines. However, adjuvants have shown limited ability to improve immune response to carbohydrate-based vaccines in humans. Aluminum salts remain the only authorized adjuvant for carbohydrate-based vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruonan Zhang, Xiaofeng Li, Jie Zhang, Yanjun Li, Yuan Wang, Yuhang Song, Feifei Ren, Huiyu Yi, Xiaojuan Deng, Yangjin Zhong, Yang Cao, Michael R. Strand, Xiao-Qiang Yu, Wanying Yang
Summary: Toll/Toll-like receptors play different roles in mammals and insects, with insects primarily activating the Toll pathway through binding Spatzle cytokines rather than directly recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Cassio Luiz Coutinho Almeida-da-Silva, Luiz Eduardo Baggio Savio, Robson Coutinho-Silva, David M. Ojcius
Summary: The innate immune system in vertebrates and invertebrates relies on conserved receptors and ligands, and pathways to initiate a rapid response against microbial infections and other sources of stress and danger. Research on NOD-like receptors (NLRs) has advanced in the past two decades, providing insight into the ligands and conditions that activate NLRs, as well as the outcomes of NLR activation in cells and animals. NLRs play crucial roles in diverse functions, such as transcription of MHC molecules and initiation of inflammation, and their activation can be direct or indirect depending on the ligands involved. Future discoveries will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular details and physiological consequences of NLR activation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Saskia F. Erttmann, Patrycja Swacha, Kyaw Min Aung, Bjorn Brindefalk, Hui Jiang, Anetta Hartova, Bernt Eric Uhlin, Sun N. Wai, Nelson O. Gekara
Summary: This study revealed the modulation of systemic immunity and response to viral infection by gut commensals. Peripheral cGAS-STING activation plays a crucial role in promoting host resistance to systemic viral infections.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Mengyue Pei, Huiyang Li, Yingwei Zhu, Jian Lu, Chuangnian Zhang
Summary: Liver cancer is the most common malignant tumor, and immunotherapy for liver cancer is a hot research topic. This study developed a nanovaccine that co-delivers antigen and adjuvant, which could promote immune responses and has potential applications in liver cancer immunotherapy.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Seika Hashimoto-Hill, Luisa Colapietro, Vivienne Woo, Simona Antonacci, Jordan Whitt, Laura Engleman, Theresa Alenghat
Summary: This study demonstrates that consuming rice bran can reduce the risk of intestinal infection, and the phytate component in it plays a role by promoting innate immune response in intestinal epithelial cells. This effect is dependent on the metabolism of phytate by commensal bacteria.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Yaru Wu, Min Zhang, Cui Yuan, Zhenling Ma, Wenqing Li, Yanyan Zhang, Lijuan Su, Jun Xu, Wei Liu
Summary: This review discusses the role of cGAS-STING signaling in SARS-CoV-2 infection and summarizes the potential therapeutics of STING agonists as virus vaccine adjuvants.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Aiello, Mattia Emanuela Ligotti, Maider Garnica, Giulia Accardi, Anna Calabro, Fanny Pojero, Hugo Arasanz, Ana Bocanegra, Ester Blanco, Luisa Chocarro, Miriam Echaide, Leticia Fernandez-Rubio, Pablo Ramos, Sergio Pineiro-Hermida, Grazyna Kochan, Nahid Zareian, Farzin Farzaneh, David Escors, Calogero Caruso, Giuseppina Candore
Summary: Vaccination is the most effective medical intervention, but immunosenescence reduces its efficacy in older people. In addition to T and B cells, innate immunity also experiences aging, potentially affecting vaccine response. This paper focuses on the immunosenescence of innate blood immune cells and discusses strategies, such as the use of new adjuvants like TLR agonists, to enhance vaccine efficiency in older individuals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Henny O. Omosigho, Elmer Swart, Tom P. Sizmur, Dave J. Spurgeon, Claus Svendsen, Liz J. Shaw
Summary: Earthworms play a crucial role in soil ecosystems, particularly in functions like organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. Antibiotic treatment successfully suppressed the earthworm-associated microbiome, providing a valuable tool for future ecological studies on earthworm microbial interactions affecting host health and function.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Nazanin Samadi, Larissa Koidl, Martina Salzmann, Martina Klems, Natalie Komatitsch, Denise Schaffer, Eleonore Weidmann, Albert Duschl, Jutta Horejs-Hoeck, Eva Untersmayr
Summary: Oral immunotherapy with nOVAmax reduced OVA-specific IgE titers and increased IgG1 titers in mice. Animals treated with nOVAmax showed no drop in core body temperature after oral challenge with OVA.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elmer Swart, Ellie Martell, Claus Svendsen, David J. Spurgeon
Summary: In this study, a meta-analysis approach was used to assess the robustness of gene expression-based biomarkers in soil invertebrates, specifically focusing on two measurements: earthworm metallothionein (MT) gene expression for metals and earthworm heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene expression for organic chemicals. The results showed that earthworm MT expression was strongly dependent on metal concentration, stable over time, and independent of species, indicating its suitability as a biomarker for metals, particularly cadmium. However, for copper, MT gene expression in earthworms did not show a clear concentration-dependent response, suggesting that MT is not a reliable biomarker for this metal. Additionally, HSP70 gene expression did not demonstrate suitability as a biomarker for organic pollutant effects in earthworms. The study highlights the importance of using meta-analysis to evaluate the status of biomarkers and encourages the application of this approach to other biomarkers for a quantitative assessment.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Diana Boraschi, Laura Canesi, Damjana Drobne, Birgit Kemmerling, Annalisa Pinsino, Petra Prochazkova
Summary: The interaction of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) with the immune system primarily occurs in the interface tissues of living organisms, mainly involving cells and molecules of the innate immunity. Immuno-nanotoxicological studies aim to understand the consequences of this interaction, whether it is insignificant or potentially causes irreversible damage. This review focuses on the effector cells of innate immunity, the phagocytes, and their major sensing receptors, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), to evaluate the modes of interaction between ENMs and host defenses, comparing responses in various organisms.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Litty Johnson, Lorenz Aglas, Benjamin Punz, Hieu-Hoa Dang, Constantin Christ, Lisa Pointner, Mario Wenger, Norbert Hofstaetter, Sabine Hofer, Mark Geppert, Ancuela Andosch, Fatima Ferreira, Jutta Horejs-Hoeck, Albert Duschl, Martin Himly
Summary: The incorporation of nanomaterials into consumer products has raised safety concerns due to their ability to cross epithelial barriers and interact with allergens, potentially affecting immune responses. This study investigates the impact of silica nanoparticle-allergen interactions on allergic sensitization by studying molecular mechanisms affecting allergic responses. The results suggest that the interaction of birch pollen allergen with silica nanoparticles skews the immune response towards a Th1-dominated profile, indicating a potential decrease in allergic sensitization.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stella Wolfgruber, Julia Rieger, Olavo Cardozo, Benjamin Punz, Martin Himly, Andreas Stingl, Patricia M. A. Farias, Peter M. Abuja, Kurt Zatloukal
Summary: The highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets, aerosols, and contaminated surfaces. In addition to antiviral drugs, the decontamination of surfaces and personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a crucial role in reducing the spread of infection. This study investigated the antiviral activity of two novel zinc-oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Eric A. J. Bleeker, Elmer Swart, Hedwig Braakhuis, Maria Luisa Fernandez Cruz, Steffi Friedrichs, Ilse Gosens, Frank Herzberg, Keld Alstrup Jensen, Frank von der Kammer, Jolinde A. B. Kettelarij, Jose Maria Navas, Kirsten Rasmussen, Kathrin Schwirn, Maaike Visser
Summary: This paper provides an overview of the development and adaptation of EU chemicals legislation, guidance, and test guidelines for nanomaterials to promote their safe use. Eleven action needs were identified by a group of experts, covering twenty-two specific information requirements relevant to multiple regulatory areas. These needs focused on resolving issues related to dispersion stability and dosing in toxicity testing, degradation and transformation of organic nanomaterials, and cellular reactivity of nanomaterials. Addressing these issues will lead to better test methods for regulatory compliance and ensure the validity of hazard and risk assessments of nanomaterials. The study emphasizes the importance of a structured process for identifying information needs and generating knowledge, preferably as part of risk governance and connected to technological innovation policy.
REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra C. Fux, Cristiane Casonato Melo, Sara Michelini, Benjamin J. Swartzwelter, Andreas Neusch, Paola Italiani, Martin Himly
Summary: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of Gram-negative bacteria's outer cell wall, elicits severe immune reactions and requires accurate detection in medical devices and injectable pharmaceuticals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristiane Casonato Melo, Alexandra C. Fux, Martin Himly, Neus G. Bastus, Laura Schlahsa, Christiane Siewert, Victor Puntes, Albert Duschl, Isabel Gessner, Jonathan A. Fauerbach
Summary: In this study, microparticles conjugated to anti-Lipid A antibodies were developed for selective endotoxin removal. These particles showed a higher protein recovery without compromising their endotoxin removal capacity, making them advantageous for enhancing product yield.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenjie Yang, Yang Li, Diana Boraschi
Summary: Plastic pollution is a global problem that poses risks to the environment and human health. Discarded plastic degrades into microplastics (MPs) in the environment, which can interact with microorganisms and biomolecules. These interactions can modify the characteristics of microbes and biomolecules, potentially affecting the immune response and leading to risks to human health.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)