Article
Oncology
Adriana Albini, Matteo Gallazzi, Maria Teresa Palano, Valentina Carlini, Riccardo Ricotta, Antonino Bruno, William G. Stetler-Stevenson, Douglas M. Noonan
Summary: Cancer patients show altered NK cell markers favoring immune escape, with TGF beta supporting cancer growth and pro-angiogenic activities by inducing pro-angiogenic molecules in NK cells. TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 can partially counteract TGF beta-induced pro-tumor/pro-angiogenic decidual-like polarization of NK cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Sigrid Vondra, Anna-Lena Hobler, Andreas Ian Lackner, Johanna Raffetseder, Zala Nikita Mihalic, Andrea Vogel, Leila Saleh, Victoria Kunihs, Peter Haslinger, Markus Wahrmann, Heinrich Husslein, Raimund Oberle, Julia Kargl, Sandra Haider, Paulina Latos, Gernot Schabbauer, Martin Knofler, Jan Ernerudh, Jurgen Pollheimer
Summary: During pregnancy, different macrophage populations are found in the decidua basalis (decB) and decidua parietalis (decP), with decBAMs being CD11chi and efficient inducers of Tregs, while decPAMs exhibit a dendritic cell-like phenotype, enhanced phagocytosis, and the ability to activate T cells. Strikingly, EVT-conditioned media can convert decPAMs into a decBAM phenotype, highlighting the critical role of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) in the induction of decB-associated macrophage polarization.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Masanori Ono, Natsumi Toyoda, Kyosuke Kagami, Takashi Hosono, Takeo Matsumoto, Shin-ichi Horike, Rena Yamazaki, Mitsuhiro Nakamura, Yasunari Mizumoto, Tomoko Fujiwara, Hitoshi Ando, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Takiko Daikoku
Summary: Recent research has shown that the expression of the uterine gene BMAL1 is reduced in the endometrium of women with recurrent spontaneous abortion. By studying mice, it was found that conditional deletion of the uterine clock gene Bmal1 resulted in mice being able to undergo embryo implantation but unable to sustain pregnancy. Gene ontology analysis revealed suppressed function of uterine NK cells in these mice. Histological examination also showed poor formation of maternal vascular spaces in the placenta. However, progesterone supplementation prolonged pregnancy in some mice and recruited specific NK cells in the spongiotrophoblast layer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Miguel Tavares Pereira, Renata Nowaczyk, Selim Aslan, Serhan S. Ay, Mariusz P. Kowalewski
Summary: Maternal immunotolerance is crucial for successful pregnancy in mammals, with differences observed in immune activity between mid-pregnancy and parturition in dogs. Progesterone signaling plays a role in modulating the uterine immune milieu, with similarities in immune factor expression between natural and induced parturition. The differences in immune activity may be related to placental maturation and functional characteristics of antigestagens, highlighting the complexity of immune regulation during canine parturition.
Article
Cell Biology
Chuang Guo, Pengfei Cai, Liying Jin, Qing Sha, Qiaoni Yu, Wen Zhang, Chen Jiang, Qian Liu, Dandan Zong, Kun Li, Jingwen Fang, Fangting Lu, Yanshi Wang, Daojing Li, Jun Lin, Lu Li, Zhutian Zeng, Xianhong Tong, Haiming Wei, Kun Qu
Summary: The study revealed significant differences in the distribution of decidual immune cell subsets in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss, as well as a reduced proportion of NK cells supporting embryo growth. Furthermore, alterations in cellular interactions between immune cell subsets within the decidua and those with stromal cells and extravillous trophoblast were observed in the disease state.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mehdi Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi, Somayeh Yazdanparast, Fatemeh Mikanik, Amirhossein Izadpanah, Sahar Parkhideh, Amin Shahbaz Ghasabeh, Elham Roshandel, Abbas Hajifathali, Ahmad Gharehbaghian
Summary: This review examines the current application, challenges, and opportunities of CIML-NK cell-based therapy in AML.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Lisa M. Bebell, Kalynn Parks, Mylinh H. Le, Joseph Ngonzi, Julian Adong, Adeline A. Boatin, Ingrid Bassett, Mark J. Siedner, Alison D. Gernand, Drucilla J. Roberts
Summary: Women with HIV are at higher risk of adverse birth outcomes, possibly due to placental vasculopathy, but further research is needed to confirm this.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Inigo Terren, Ane Orrantia, Gabirel Astarloa-Pando, Ainhoa Amarilla-Irusta, Olatz Zenarruzabeitia, Francisco Borrego
Summary: Natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in defense against viral infections and tumor cells. Recent research has shown that under certain conditions, NK cells can exhibit adaptive and memory-like features. These memory-like NK cells undergo genetic and metabolic changes, resulting in enhanced effector functions after a resting period. Due to their long persistence, these memory-like NK cells are potential candidates for cancer immunotherapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Manojkumar Gunasekaran, Andrea Difiglia, John Fitzgerald, Robert Hariri, William van der Touw, Tanel Mahlakoiv
Summary: Researchers have found that NK cells derived from human placental hematopoietic stem cells (CYNK) have strong antiviral effects against Influenza A virus (IAV) infection and can enhance the expression of NK cell activating ligands on respiratory epithelial cells. Co-culture of CYNK cells with IAV-infected cells showed increased degranulation and cytotoxicity against the virus.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ken-Edwin Aryee, Lisa M. Burzenski, Li-Chin Yao, James G. Keck, Dale L. Greiner, Leonard D. Shultz, Michael A. Brehm
Summary: Human innate immunity, including natural killer (NK) cells, plays a critical role in tumor surveillance and immunoregulation in the tumor microenvironment. Humanized mouse models have been developed to study human immuno-oncology, but the development and survival of human NK cells in these models are limited. Researchers have created a mouse model with constitutive expression of human Interleukin 15 (IL15) to enhance the development of functional human NK cells and limit tumor growth.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Arpita Bhurke, Juanmahel Davila, Jodi A. Flaws, Milan K. Bagchi, Indrani C. Bagchi
Summary: Exposure to Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) in pregnant mice resulted in fetal loss during the later stages of gestation. This exposure affected differentiation and angiogenesis in the uterine decidual bed, as well as trophoblast differentiation and placental organization, leading to compromised nutrient transport and placental defects.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Weixing Xu, Yuze Qi, Yanjun Gao, Huihui Quan, Qingru Li, Hui Zhou, Jing Huang
Summary: The study showed that utero exposure to B(alpha)P may exacerbate alpha-syn pathology during neurodevelopment, leading to microglial activation and subsequent reduction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Chen Liang, Shanshan Li, Jinfeng Yuan, Yanhua Song, Weicong Ren, Wei Wang, Yuanyuan Shang, Shenjie Tang, Yu Pang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the phenotype, proliferation and functional alterations of cytokine-induced memory-like natural killer (CIML NK) cells from healthy subjects and TB patients, and assessed the efficacy of CIML NK cells in response to H37Rv-infected U937 cells in vitro. CIML NK cells from healthy individuals showed enhanced IFN-gamma secretion and boosted anti-MTB activity in vitro, which from TB patients show impaired IFN-gamma production and no enhanced anti-MTB activity compared to those from healthy donors. These results open up new possibilities for NK cell-based anti-tuberculosis immunotherapeutic strategies.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Demi Brownlie, Marlena Scharenberg, Jeff E. Mold, Joanna Hard, Eliisa Kekalainen, Marcus Buggert, Son Nguyen, Jennifer N. Wilson, Mamdoh Al-Ameri, Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, Nicole Marquardt, Jakob Michaelsson
Summary: Recent studies have shown the existence of tissue-resident adaptive-like NK cells in the human lung and blood, which differ from traditional NK cells and exhibit enhanced cytotoxicity towards tumor cells. These cells may represent a novel strategy for targeted therapies against solid tumors.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Artem Mishukov, Irina Odinokova, Ekaterina Mndlyan, Margarita Kobyakova, Serazhutdin Abdullaev, Vitaly Zhalimov, Xenia Glukhova, Vasiliy Galat, Yekaterina Galat, Anatoly Senotov, Roman Fadeev, Artem Artykov, Marine E. Gasparian, Marina Solovieva, Igor Beletsky, Ekhson Holmuhamedov
Summary: ONC201 targets mitochondrial ATP-dependent caseinolytic peptidase P (ClpP) and has reversible and irreversible effects on cancer cells. When used in combination with NK cells, it enhances the anti-cancer effect.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Adelia Cristina Vieira de Rezende Dornelas, Livia dos Santos Rodrigues, Marina Papa Penteado, Rosangela Fernandes Lucena Batista, Heloisa Bettiol, Ricardo de Carvalho Cavalli, Carlos Grandi, Viviane Cunha Cardoso
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the perception and frequency of abuse, disrespect, and mistreatment during childbirth care. The results showed that while most women were exposed to some ADM situations, only a minority perceived disrespect or mistreatment.
CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Renata Cristina Martins da Silva Vieira, Jordana Barbosa da Silva, Ricardo de Carvalho Cavalli, Patricia Driusso
Summary: The aim of this study was to translate and validate a Brazilian Portuguese questionnaire for assessing pelvic floor disorders and their risk factors during pregnancy and postpartum. The results demonstrated that the questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument when used in Brazilian pregnant and postpartum women.
INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Letter
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Joseph O'Sullivan, Alexandra E. Cairns, Elena Plesca, Rebecca S. Black, Charlotte Frise, Manu Vatish, Ana Sofia Cerdeira
NATURE REVIEWS ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Maria Laura Costa, Ricardo de Carvalho Cavalli, Henri Augusto Korkes, Edson Vieira da Cunha Filho, Jose Carlos Peracoli
Summary: In low and middle-income settings, the use of biomarkers has been shown to be helpful in diagnosing and managing preeclampsia, thus reducing unnecessary interventions.
REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GINECOLOGIA E OBSTETRICIA
(2022)
Editorial Material
Medical Laboratory Technology
Kathryn J. Gray, Martin Hemberg, S. Ananth Karumanchi
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sarah M. Davis, Vignesh N. Hariharan, Agnes Lo, Anton A. Turanov, Dimas Echeverria, Jacquelyn Sousa, Nicholas McHugh, Annabelle Biscans, Julia F. Alterman, S. Ananth Karumanchi, Melissa J. Moore, Anastasia Khvorova
Summary: Preeclampsia is a potentially lethal pregnancy complication driven by overexpression of placental soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT1). Researchers have found that injecting specific siRNA can reduce placental sFLT1 and improve symptoms. They also discovered that modifying siRNA chemically can enhance its effectiveness and safety, providing a framework for further development of this therapeutic approach.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mengyao Tang, Anders Berg, Eugene P. Rhee, Andrew S. Allegretti, Sagar Nigwekar, S. Ananth Karumanchi, James P. Lash, Sahir Kalim
Summary: The impact of glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) on renal outcomes in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is modified by carbamylation and anemia.
Review
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Takahiko Nakagawa, Ana Andres-Hernando, Tomoki G. Kosugi, Laura Sanchez-Lozada, Peter Stenvinkel, Karolina Kublickiene, S. Ananth Karumanchi, Duk-Hee Kang, Hideto Kojima, Bernardo R. Rodriguez-Iturbe, Dean A. Tolan, Miguel J. Lanaspa, Richard Johnson
Summary: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy caused by abnormal placentation. Fructose, which plays a critical role in fetal growth, is produced in the placenta during early pregnancy to assist fetal survival in a hypoxic environment. Impaired placentation leads to excessive fructose production, which drives various pathological features of preeclampsia. In addition, dietary fructose intake has been identified as an independent risk factor for preeclampsia.
HYPERTENSION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ana C. Palei, Juliana de O. Cruz, Joao Leandro Chaguri, Jose Carlos Peracoli, Mariana Romao-Veiga, Vanessa R. Ribeiro-Vasques, Ricardo C. Cavalli, Priscila R. Nunes, Marcelo R. Luizon, Valeria C. Sandrim
Summary: This study found that circulating tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP-3) concentrations were increased in women with pre-eclampsia compared to healthy pregnant women, and that it was positively correlated with plasma matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and TIMP-1 concentrations in pre-eclampsia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Sahir Kalim, Sophia Zhao, Mengyao Tang, Eugene P. Rhee, Andrew S. Allegretti, Sagar Nigwekar, S. Ananth Karumanchi, James P. Lash, Anders H. Berg
Summary: Protein carbamylation, driven by elevated blood urea levels, is associated with adverse outcomes in ESKD. However, its relationship to clinical outcomes in earlier stages of CKD is not well understood.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gena Guidry, Nicklaus A. Sparrow, Hyyat S. Marshall, Roberta De Souza Santos, Suman P. Bharath, Michael M. Gezalian, Margareta D. Pisarska, Jean-Philippe Vit, Scott A. Kelly, S. Ananth Karumanchi, Shouri Lahiri
Summary: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can lead to delirium-like states, and postmenopausal females are more susceptible to delirium following UTIs. It has been found that 17 beta-estradiol can reduce neuronal injury and improve delirium-like behaviors caused by UTIs, possibly by suppressing the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6).
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lauren A. Biwer, Qing Lu, Jaime Ibarrola, Alec Stepanian, Joshua J. Man, Brigett V. Carvajal, Nicholas D. Camarda, Zsuzsanna Zsengeller, Geraldine Skurnik, Ellen W. Seely, S. Ananth Karumanchi, Iris Z. Jaffe
Summary: Preeclampsia is associated with hypertension and end organ damage, and women exposed to preeclampsia have an increased risk of hypertension after pregnancy. This study found that exposure to sFlt1 during pregnancy leads to enhanced responsiveness of smooth muscle cell mineralocorticoid receptors (SMC-MR) to hypertensive stimuli, contributing to postpartum hypertension. These findings suggest that targeting SMC-MR could be a potential intervention to mitigate cardiovascular risk in women after preeclampsia.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Priscila R. Nunes, Ricardo C. Cavalli, Vanessa A. Belo, Valeria C. Sandrim, Marcelo R. Luizon
Summary: This study conducted the first longitudinal study of plasma visfatin levels in healthy pregnant women, finding that visfatin levels were significantly higher in the third trimester compared to the second trimester, and significantly reduced in the postpartum period. These findings suggest the potential of visfatin as a biomarker for pregnancy complications.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Marcos Masaru Okido, Ricardo de Carvalho Cavalli, Viviane Cunha Cardoso, Alessandra Cristina Marcolin
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of Intergrowth-21 st (INT) and Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) curves in predicting perinatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborns weighing below the 3rd percentile. The results showed that the performance of INT and FMF curves in predicting perinatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes was similar. However, relying solely on the 3rd percentile of INT or FMF birth weight was insufficient for a good diagnostic performance of perinatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GINECOLOGIA E OBSTETRICIA
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Eynav Accortt, James Mirocha, Dongsheng Zhang, Sarah J. Kilpatrick, Towia Libermann, S. Ananth Karumanchi
Summary: This study aimed to determine if a panel of novel third-trimester plasma protein biomarkers in pregnant women can be used to identify those who have a high predisposed risk for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The results showed that participants with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders had a unique and distinct plasma protein signature that regulated a variety of neuronal signaling and proinflammatory pathways. Further validation studies with larger sample sizes are needed to determine the potential use of these molecules for early detection of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders when combined with traditional risk factors.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)