Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natasha Ustyanovska Avtenyuk, Ghizlane Choukrani, Emanuele Ammatuna, Toshiro Niki, Ewa Cendrowicz, Harm Jan Lourens, Gerwin Huls, Valerie R. Wiersma, Edwin Bremer
Summary: In this study, Gal-9 treatment was found to induce significant membrane alterations in cancer cells by externalizing phosphatidyl serine (PS) and downregulating the anti-phagocytic regulator CD47. It was also shown to trigger trogocytosis and enhance antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis of cancer cells by activating neutrophils and mobilizing granules. Moreover, Gal-9 treatment resulted in decreased cancer cell adhesion and potent cytotoxicity mediated by neutrophils.
Article
Immunology
Eliana Perez Rosero, Samantha Heron, Juan Jovel, Conar R. O'Neil, Shannon Lee Turvey, Pallavi Parashar, Shokrollah Elahi
Summary: HIV infection is associated with changes in oral microbial communities and neutrophil frequency in the oral cavity. The oral microbiome of HIV-infected individuals showed greater bacterial diversity, with enriched Spirochaeta species and reduced Helicobacter species. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in oral neutrophils in HIV-infected individuals, which correlated with their CD4(+) T cell count.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Riyao Yang, Linlin Sun, Ching-Fei Li, Yu-Han Wang, Weiya Xia, Boning Liu, Yu-Yi Chu, Laura Bover, Long Vien, Mien-Chie Hung
Summary: This study reports the development of two novel Gal-9-neutralizing antibodies that effectively protect human T cells from Gal-9-induced cell death and promote T cell-mediated killing of tumor cells. These findings demonstrate the potential of targeting Gal-9 for cancer immunotherapy.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Na Chen, Maria Alieva, Tom van der Most, Joelle A. Z. Klazen, Arabel Vollmann-Zwerenz, Peter Hau, Nienke Vrisekoop
Summary: The biopsy or tumor resection for glioblastoma may increase the risk of tumor cell spread. This study found that neutrophils may indirectly contribute to the migration of tumor cells after biopsy by recruiting macrophages. Additionally, the study showed that human neutrophils can directly promote the migration of glioblastoma tumor cells.
Article
Biology
Logan K. Smith, Kareem Fawaz, Bebhinn Treanor
Summary: This study demonstrates the critical role of the glycan-binding protein galectin-9 in setting the activation threshold of B cells, as well as in restraining the population of B-1a cells and the production of autoantibodies. Lack of galectin-9 leads to spontaneous autoimmunity by promoting the activation of B-1a cells and increased secretion of autoantibodies, facilitating autoimmune responses.
Article
Microbiology
Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Siavash Mashhouri, Eliana Perez Rosero, Lai Xu, Shima Shahbaz, Wendy Sligl, Mohammed Osman, Demetrios J. Kutsogiannis, Erika MacIntyre, Conar R. O'Neil, Shokrollah Elahi
Summary: The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection has significantly impacted our lives, with cytokine release syndrome being identified as a major cause of mortality in COVID-19 patients. Studies have shown a substantial increase in plasma Galectin-9 (Gal-9) levels in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls. Gal-9 may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, and inhibiting Gal-9 could be a potential therapeutic strategy to modulate hyperimmune activation in these patients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ashwini Shete, Vaishnav Wagh, Jyoti Sawant, Pallavi Shidhaye, Suvarna Sane, Amrita Rao, Smita Kulkarni, Manisha Ghate
Summary: This study assessed the association between plasma galectin-9 levels and HIV viremia and comorbidities in HIV-infected individuals. The results showed a positive correlation between galectin-9 levels and viral load, and a negative correlation with CD4 count. The galectin-9-to-CD4 count ratio was found to be an accurate tool for detecting viremic individuals. This study suggests that galectin-9 may be a cost-effective monitoring tool and highlights the urgency of developing strategies to counter its effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Miyoung Lee, Jamie A. G. Hamilton, Ganesh R. Talekar, Anthony J. Ross, Langston Michael, Manali Rupji, Bhakti Dwivedi, Sunil S. Raikar, Jeremy Boss, Christopher D. Scharer, Douglas K. Graham, Deborah DeRyckere, Christopher C. Porter, Curtis J. Henry
Summary: This study reveals that adipocytes can induce the expression of Gal-9 in B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells, leading to chemoresistance. Antibody-mediated blockade of Gal-9 increases the survival rate in preclinical B-ALL murine models. This finding is important for developing targeted therapies for obese patients with leukemia.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Silvie Kremserova, Anna Kocurkova, Michaela Chorvatova, Anna Klinke, Lukas Kubala
Summary: The study reveals that MPO plays a role in regulating PMN cell death by enhancing cell membrane permeabilization and phosphatidylserine surface exposure, thereby extending the lifespan of PMNs.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Elyahb A. Kwizera, Wenquan Ou, Sojeong Lee, Samantha Stewart, James G. Shamul, Jiangsheng Xu, Nancy Tait, Katherine H. R. Tkaczuk, Xiaoming He
Summary: In this study, a robust electromicrofluidic chip was developed for efficient capture and release of heterogeneous circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which is important for cancer research and therapeutic development.
Article
Immunology
Wenxing Su, Ji Zhang, Shun Yang, Minhui Tang, Yu Shen, Cuiping Liu, Jiang Ji, Marcus Maurer, Qingqing Jiao
Summary: This study explored the expression of Gal-9 and TIM-3 in AD patients and found that both Gal-9 and TIM-3 levels were higher in AD patients than in healthy controls. These levels were associated with disease activity, IgE levels, and circulating eosinophils and/or B cells. Furthermore, Gal-9 was found to inhibit T cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in AD patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yaguang Wang, Di Wang, Chao Wu, Bin Wang, Shufang He, Hua Wang, Gaolin Liang, Ye Zhang
Summary: The study developed a peptide K2 to encapsulate bFGF and proposed an EISA strategy to slowly release bFGF in ischemic myocardium. Results showed that bFGF@K2 micelle exerted a stronger cardioprotective effect than free bFGF in a rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, potentially offering a promising treatment strategy for MI in the future.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Adel Abo Mansour, Federica Raucci, Mustafa Sevim, Anella Saviano, Jenefa Begum, Zhaogong Zhi, Laleh Pezhman, Samantha Tull, Francesco Maione, Asif Jilani Iqbal
Summary: This study investigates the role of Gal-9 in the migration and adhesion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and reveals its potential therapeutic significance in inflammatory-based diseases. The findings suggest that Gal-9 supports T cell adhesion and transmigration in a glycan dependent manner and inhibits the chemotactic function of CXCL12 through direct binding.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica Filtjens, Anais Roger, Linda Quatrini, Elisabeth Wieduwild, Jordi Gouilly, Guillaume Hoeffel, Rafaelle Rossignol, Clara Daher, Guilhaume Debroas, Sandrine Henri, Claerwen M. Jones, Bernard Malissen, Laura K. Mackay, Aziz Moqrich, Francis R. Carbone, Sophie Ugolini
Summary: The study demonstrates that Nav(1.8)(+) sensory neurons play a crucial role in regulating CD8 T cell immune responses against HSV-1 infection, affecting skin damage severity and cytokine production. Sensory neurons are also involved in controlling neutrophil infiltration and dendritic cell responses, highlighting their potential as a therapeutic target.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jie Li, Xiao-gang Liu, Rui-liang Ge, Yu-peng Yin, Yong-da Liu, Wan-peng Lu, Mei Huang, Xue-ying He, Jinghan Wang, Guoxiang Cai, Shu-han Sun, Ji-hang Yuan
Summary: This study reveals that ERMAP on cancer cells can deliver an 'eat me' signal to Kupffer cells by binding to Gal-9-dectin-2 on Kupffer cells and triggering phagocytosis.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Kiho Son, Kate Miyasaki, Brittany Salter, Dessi Loukov, Joseph Chon, Nan Zhao, Katherine Radford, Chynna Huang, Nicola LaVigne, Anna Dvorkin-Gheva, Paige Lacy, Terence Ho, Dawn M. E. Bowdish, Parameswaran Nair, Manali Mukherjee
Summary: Autoantibodies against macrophage scavenger receptors in eosinophilic asthma airways may impede effective host defenses and lead to recurrent infective bronchitis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Mark Hnatiuk, Anthea C. Peters, Shokrollah Elahi
Summary: This study found that CD26(+)CD8(+) T cells are reduced in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but they possess polyfunctionality and durability, making them potential candidates for immunotherapy. Additionally, malignant B cells induce apoptosis of CD26(+)CD8(+) T cells through the release of Galectin-9.
EXPERIMENTAL HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Luke Gerla, Subhabrata Moitra, Desmond Pink, Natasha Govindasamy, Marc Duchesne, Eileen Reklow, Angela Hillaby, Amy May, John D. Lewis, Lyle Melenka, Tom C. Hobman, Irvin Mayers, Paige Lacy
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether TSLP levels increase in COVID-19 patients and if SARS-CoV-2 induces TSLP expression in bronchial epithelial cells. The results showed increased TSLP levels in the plasma of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which correlated with duration of hospitalization. In vitro infection of bronchial epithelial cells with SARS-CoV-2 also resulted in elevated TSLP levels. Therefore, TSLP may be considered an important therapeutic target for COVID-19 treatment.
Article
Immunology
Amirhossein Rahmati, Steven Bigam, Shokrollah Elahi
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that Gal-9-positive NK cells were more abundant in tissues, particularly in the liver, compared to the negative control group. These Gal-9-positive NK cells showed higher levels of cytotoxic effector molecules and cytokines. The interaction between Gal-9 and CD44 was shown to activate NK cells and activate related signaling pathways. Interestingly, COVID-19 patients exhibited enhanced IFN-gamma expression in Gal-9-positive NK cells. These findings highlight the important role of Gal-9 in NK cell activation and suggest its potential as a therapeutic target for modulating NK cell effector functions.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Subhabrata Moitra, Ana Adan, Metin Akgun, Augustus Anderson, Amanda Brickstock, Allie Eathorne, Ali Farshchi Tabrizi, Prasun Haldar, Linda Henderson, Aditya Jindal, Surinder Kumar Jindal, Bugra Kerget, Fadi Khadour, Lyle Melenka, Saibal Moitra, Tanusree Moitra, Rahul Mukherjee, Alex Semprini, Alice M. Turner, Nicola Murgia, Giovanni Ferrara, Paige Lacy
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of social deprivation on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in asthma. Through a survey of 691 adult asthmatics in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, it was found that social deprivation was directly and indirectly associated with HRQoL, with mediation through anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse. Lower social deprivation was associated with better physical function, less dyspnea and fatigue, and better emotional function.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sizhu Amelia Chen, Elena Arutyunova, Jimmy Lu, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Wioletta Rut, Mikolaj Zmudzinski, Shima Shahbaz, Jegan Iyyathurai, Eman W. Moussa, Zoe Turner, Bing Bai, Tess Lamer, James A. Nieman, John C. Vederas, Olivier Julien, Marcin Drag, Shokrollah Elahi, Howard S. Young, M. Joanne Lemieux
Summary: The main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) plays a crucial role in virus replication and is considered a promising drug target. This study examined the impact of mutations in Mpro on its function and substrate specificity. The results revealed changes in substrate binding, viral peptide cleavage, and alterations in the proteolysis of host proteins involved in antiviral mechanisms. However, the potency of two antiviral drugs, nirmatrelvir (Pfizer) and AVI-8053, remained unaffected by these mutations, suggesting that Mpro remains a viable drug candidate as the virus evolves.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Isobel Okoye, Siavash Mashhouri, Julia Lu, Petya Koleva, John Walker, Shokrollah Elahi
Summary: This study revealed the immunosuppressive nature of CD71(+) erythroid cells and their association with response to PD-L1 therapy. The expansion of these cells was found to be related to anemia and poor immunotherapy outcomes. Additionally, EPO treatment was shown to promote the generation of these cells and attenuate the therapeutic effects of ICIs.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mohamed Omar, Maria Alexiou, Umar R. Rekhi, Konrad Lehmann, Aneesh Bhardwaj, Cole Delyea, Shokrollah Elahi, Maria Febbraio
Summary: Periodontitis, the leading cause of adult tooth loss, has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study used a BM transplant approach to simulate the clinical elimination of periodontitis and found that recipients of BM from Pg-inoculated donors developed significantly more atherosclerosis. The research suggests that periodontitis induces epigenetic changes in hematopoietic stem cells, leading to long-term association between periodontitis and atherosclerotic CVD.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Hussain Syed, Siavash Mashhouri, John Walker, Shokrollah Elahi
Summary: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer can evade the immune system by creating a suppressive tumor microenvironment. This study suggests that combining the epigenetic agent valproic acid (VA) with avelumab, an immunotherapy drug, may enhance antitumor immunity in HPV-associated solid tumors. Measuring plasma IL-8/IL-18 levels and performing bulk RNA-Seq on PBMCs could serve as valuable biomarkers to predict immunotherapy outcomes.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Shima Shahbaz, Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Julia Lu, Mohammed Osman, Wendy Sligl, D. Lorne Tyrrell, Shokrollah Elahi
Summary: There is a need to understand the impact of different SARS-CoV-2 variants on immune response and disease dynamics. This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 variants have different effects on host immune response. Variants such as Omicron have lower levels of cytokines and chemokines compared to the original Wuhan strain. The study also found differences in T cell activation and soluble immune checkpoints among the variants.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Shima Shahbaz, Wendy Sligl, Mohammed Osman, Shokrollah Elahi
Summary: This study found that individuals with HIV who are not receiving antiretroviral therapy may be at a higher risk of morbidity or mortality when co-infected with SARS-CoV-2. The study also identified immune activation, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, and enhanced CD8+ T cell functions in co-infected individuals. These findings indicate that inadequate immune reconstitution and limited access to antiretroviral therapy can lead to dysregulated immune response and poor clinical outcomes in people living with HIV.
ALLERGY ASTHMA AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yasser Tabana, Chih-Hsuan Lin, Dinesh Babu, Ramanaguru Siva-Piragasam, Ashley A. Ponich, Tae Chul Moon, Arno G. Siraki, Shokrollah Elahi, Richard Fahlman, Frederick G. West, Khaled Barakat
Summary: This study presents a method for identifying the cellular targets of Compound A in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). By synthesizing a probe based on the chemical structure of Compound A and demonstrating its efficient binding to bovine serum albumin, this method can be used to further identify potential protein targets of small molecules in living cells. These findings provide a valuable starting point for exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of Compound A.
Editorial Material
Health Care Sciences & Services
Subhabrata Moitra, Paige Lacy
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-AMERICAS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Ramses Ilarraza, Danny Chao, James A. R. Bodman, Alexandra Chesley, Adam Humble, Farzana Shaheen, Gary Eitzen, Paige Lacy
Summary: A key molecule for neutrophil degranulation is Rac2 guanosine triphosphatase. Neutrophils from Rac2 knockout mice (Rac2(-/-)) exhibit impaired primary granule exocytosis in response to cytochalasin B/f-Met-Leu-Phe, while secondary and tertiary granule release is unaffected.
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Andrew McGee, Paige Lacy, Anna Oswald, Rhonda J. Rosychuk
Summary: The study found that at the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta, male faculty members' compensation increases with research impact, while female faculty members' compensation is largely unaffected by research impact. Additionally, female faculty members need higher research impact proxies than their male counterparts to be promoted to full professor.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF HIGHER EDUCATION
(2022)