Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yan Li, Chengyu Zou, Chen Chen, Sixuan Li, Ziyu Zhu, Qiuyue Fan, Rui Pang, Fengshi Li, Zengai Chen, Zhenghong Wang, Weifeng Yu, Junying Yuan, Peiying Li
Summary: This study demonstrates that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) promotes endothelial cell (EC) death under inflammatory conditions, thus contributing to blood-brain barrier disruption.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Janos Garai, Marcell Kreko, Laszlo Orfi, Peter Balazs Jakus, Zoltan Rumbus, Patrik Keringer, Andras Garami, Eszter Vamos, Dominika Kovacs, Viola Bagone Vantus, Balazs Radnai, Tamas Lorand
Summary: The study shows that certain synthesized tetralones and their derivatives can inhibit MIF's tautomeric functions, regulate macrophage activation, and reduce inflammatory responses.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
James L. Alexander, Hajir Ibraheim, Bhavisha Sheth, Jessica Little, Muhammad Saheb Khan, Camellia Richards, Nikki Hunter, Dharmisha Chauhan, Raguprakash Ratnakumaran, Kathleen McHugh, David J. Pinato, Paul Nathan, Julia Choy, Shanthini M. Crusz, Andrew Furness, Samra Turajlic, Lisa Pickering, James Larkin, Julian P. Teare, Sophie Papa, Ally Speight, Anand Sharma, Nick Powell
Summary: This study investigated the outcomes of patients with corticosteroid-refractory CPI-induced enterocolitis treated with IFX, finding that less than half of patients achieved corticosteroid-free clinical remission. The data also suggest that cancer outcomes may be better in patients developing prolonged and severe inflammatory side effects of CPI therapy.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Margherita Sisto, Sabrina Lisi
Summary: Autoimmunity is a chronic process that leads to inflammation, tissue damage, and subsequent tissue remodelling and organ fibrosis. Most chronic autoimmune fibrotic disorders have in common a persistent and sustained production of growth factors, proteolytic enzymes, angiogenic factors, and fibrogenic cytokines, resulting in the deposition of connective tissue elements or epithelial to mesenchymal transformation (EMT) that progressively remodels and destroys normal tissue architecture leading to organ failure. However, there are currently no approved treatments that directly target the molecular mechanisms of fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Margherita Sisto, Sabrina Lisi
Summary: Fibrosis, which can develop spontaneously or as a result of underlying diseases, is characterized by immune cells infiltration and the production of pro-inflammatory molecules. Defects in the abilities of non-immune cells to regulate immune responses may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. However, the precise cellular mechanisms involved in this process have not been fully elucidated.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yao-Zhong Kong, Qiyan Chen, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: This review focuses on the regulatory role and molecular mechanisms of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in kidney diseases, as well as the therapeutic potential of targeting MIF signaling to treat kidney diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Ling Zhu, Shasha Chen, Na Liu, Qianwei Cui, Minzhi Ma, Zhongwei Liu, Yujie Xing, Yong Zhang, Junkui Wang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between plasma macrophage migration inhibitor factor levels and hypertension and hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy. The results showed that elevated macrophage migration inhibitor factor was associated with the development of hypertension as well as hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy.
JOURNAL OF HUMAN HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
ChunYan Yuan
Summary: IL-33 is a cytokine that modulates inflammation and immune responses, primarily associated with the development of Th2 immunological responses. It has been shown to be elevated in various autoimmune disorders, suggesting a role in inducing autoimmunity and inflammatory damage. The IL-33/ST2 axis holds promising potential as a therapeutic target for autoimmune disease treatment.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lisa Schindler, Leon Zwissler, Christine Krammer, Ulrike Hendgen-Cotta, Tienush Rassaf, Mark B. Hampton, Nina Dickerhof, Jurgen Bernhagen
Summary: The inflammatory cytokines MIF and MIF-2/D-DT inhibit neutrophil apoptosis by activating mononuclear cells to promote neutrophil survival through a synergistic response. The noncognate MIF receptor CXCR2 expressed on both monocytes and neutrophils plays a crucial role in MIF-mediated neutrophil survival.
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Karen Yu, Luna Dillemans, Mieke Gouwy, Helena Bessa, Mieke Metzemaekers, Erik Martens, Patrick Matthys, Xavier Bossuyt, Patrick Verschueren, Carine Wouters, Lien De Somer, Paul Proost
Summary: In this study, a fluorescent in vitro assay was improved to characterize endogenous PAD activity in complex samples. The results showed similar levels of PAD activity in synovial fluids of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients, while citrullination was limited in joints of patients with gout or Lyme's disease. Interestingly, a higher level of extracellular citrullination was only found in blood of anti-CCP-positive RA patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Gabriela Athziri Sanchez-Zuno, Richard Bucala, Jorge Hernandez-Bello, Ilce Valeria Roman-Fernandez, Mariel Garcia-Chagollan, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Monica Guadalupe Matuz-Flores, Samuel Garcia-Arellano, Judith Alejandra Esparza-Michel, Sergio Cerpa-Cruz, Edsaul Emilio Perez-Guerrero, Jose Francisco Munoz-Valle
Summary: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study explored the expression of CD74, CXCR2, CXCR4, and CXCR7, as well as the levels of soluble CD74 (sCD74), in relation to the clinical activity of RA. The results suggest that sCD74 may act as a decoy receptor for MIF and negatively regulate its signaling, while CXCR7 functions as a scavenger-type receptor to prevent endocytosis and degradation of CXCR4 under inflammatory conditions.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Hosim Soh, Hyun Jung Lee, Kyungdo Han, Seona Park, Seung Wook Hong, Jung Min Moon, Eun Ae Kang, Jooyoung Lee, Jaeyoung Chun, Jong Pil Im, Joo Sung Kim
Summary: This nationwide population-based study in Korea found that patients with atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, or asthma, have an increased risk for developing inflammatory bowel diseases (CD and UC). The risk for IBD increases with the increase in the number of atopic diseases.
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Dermatology
J. Michelle Kahlenberg
Summary: Recent research on cutaneous lupus has identified key abnormalities in nonlesional skin of patients with systemic lupus, including an elevated type I interferon signature, overproduction of interferons, and absence of Langerhans cells. These abnormalities likely contribute to a propensity for inflammation in response to disease triggers like UV light.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Iago Pinal-Fernandez, Jose Cesar Milisenda, Katherine Pak, Sandra Munoz-Braceras, Maria Casal-Dominguez, Jiram Torres-Ruiz, Stefania Dell'Orso, Faiza Naz, Gustavo Gutierrez-Cruz, Yaiza Duque-Jaimez, Ana Matas-Garcia, Joan Padrosa, Francesc J. Garcia-Garcia, Mariona Guitart-Mampel, Gloria Garrabou, Ernesto Trallero-Araguas, Brian Walitt, Julie J. Paik, Jemima Albayda, Lisa Christopher-Stine, Thomas E. Lloyd, Josep Maria Grau-Junyent, Albert Selva-O'Callaghan, Andrew Lee Mammen
Summary: This study aimed to define the transcriptional profile of muscle biopsies from anti-Mi2-positive dermatomyositis (DM) patients. A set of 135 genes, including SCRT1 and MADCAM1, was specifically overexpressed in anti-Mi2-positive DM muscle. The expression levels of these genes correlated with anti-Mi2 autoantibody titres, markers of disease activity and with the other members of the gene set.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seung J. Kim, Patti K. Kiser, Samuel Asfaha, Rodney P. Dekoter, Frederick A. Dick
Summary: This study reveals a novel inflammatory response mechanism in B cells induced by EZH2 inhibitors, which leads to chemokine expression.
Article
Neurosciences
Roberta Celli, Pasquale Striano, Rita Citraro, Luisa Di Menna, Milena Cannella, Tiziana Imbriglio, Mahmoud Koko, Euro Epinomics-Cogie Euro Epinomics-Cogie Consortium, Giovambattista De Sarro, James A. Monn, Giuseppe Battaglia, Gilles van Luijtelaar, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Emilio Russo, Antonio Leo
Summary: Previous studies suggest that modulation of mGlu3 receptors may be a potential treatment for absence epilepsy. This study found that mGlu3 receptor expression and signaling were decreased in the somatosensory cortex and thalamus of epileptic rats, and selective activation of mGlu3 receptors reduced seizures and depressive-like behavior. However, no association was found between genetic variants of GRM3 and absence epilepsy.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Qing Li, Jialuo He, Senlin Li, Cheng Tian, Jian Yang, Huimin Yuan, Yi Lu, Paolo Fagone, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Ming Xiang
Summary: Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a cold tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) with minimal dendritic cell (DC) and T cell infiltration, leading to inadequate immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Combining gemcitabine (GEM) with ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) can enhance tumor immunogenicity and induce lasting anti-tumor immunity in PC. The activation of DCs by Rh2 via the CARD9-BCL10-MALT1/NF-KB pathway may reverse the cold TIME and optimize GEM chemotherapy, providing a potentially feasible and safe treatment strategy for PC.
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Nicole Piera Palomba, Giorgio Fortunato, Giuseppe Pepe, Nicola Modugno, Sara Pietracupa, Immacolata Damiano, Giada Mascio, Federica Carrillo, Luca Giovanni Di Giovannantonio, Laura Ianiro, Katiuscia Martinello, Viola Volpato, Vincenzo Desiato, Riccardo Acri, Marianna Storto, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Caleb Webber, Antonio Simeone, Sergio Fucile, Vittorio Maglione, Teresa Esposito
Summary: This study focuses on the common and rare variants identified in the lysosomal K+ channel TMEM175 and their association with Parkinson's disease. Through clinical and genetic analysis, the study identified several common variants and 13 highly penetrant detrimental mutations in the TMEM175 gene. Functional analysis revealed a loss of K+ conductance and impaired autophagic/lysosomal proteolytic flux in patient-derived cells, suggesting a potential role of TMEM175 gene mutations in the pathophysiology of PD.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Francesco Weiss, Valerio Caruso, Ugo De Rosa, Maria Francesca Beatino, Margherita Barbuti, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Giulio Perugi
Summary: This systematic review aims to investigate the role of NMDARs in bipolar disorder (BD) and its neurobiological and clinical implications. The results suggest that NMDARs may be linked to the severity and chronicity of BD.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Carla Letizia Busceti, Albino Carrizzo, Franca Bianchi, Massimiliano De Lucia, Antonio Damato, Chiara Cazzin, Eleonora Venturini, Paola Di Pietro, Roxana Paula Ginerete, Luisa Di Menna, Maria Cotugno, Rosita Stanzione, Simona Marchitti, Serena Migliarino, Michele Ciccarelli, Sebastiano Sciarretta, Valeria Bruno, Giuseppe Battaglia, Francesco Fornai, Massimo Volpe, Speranza Rubattu, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Carmine Vecchione
Summary: Dkk3 plays a crucial role in cardiovascular homeostasis, and its deficiency leads to hypertension and impaired vascular function, which can be rescued by restoring Dkk3 expression. This effect is achieved through promoting VEGF expression and activating the VEGF/Akt/eNOS hypotensive pathway.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Ferrigno, Marta Cagna, Oriana Bosco, Michelangelo Trucchi, Clarissa Berardo, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Mariapia Vairetti, Laura G. Di Pasqua
Summary: In this study, the effects of mGluR5 blockade were evaluated in a mouse model of steatosis. It was found that MPEP can reduce fat accumulation and oxidative stress. This study provides the first in vivo evidence of the beneficial effects of MPEP in a murine model of steatosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ralitza Alexova, Simona Alexandrova, Stela Dragomanova, Reni Kalfin, Ayten Solak, Sidharth Mehan, Maria Cristina Petralia, Paolo Fagone, Katia Mangano, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Lyubka Tancheva
Summary: Pomegranate is a rich source of polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, and can support the immune system during viral infection and recovery. Studies have shown that pomegranate polyphenol extract and its components can control immune cell infiltration, regulate cytokine secretion, inhibit viruses like SARS-CoV-2, and modulate the NF-κB pathway. Further research is needed to understand the interactions between polyphenols, viruses, and the host immune response.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tamara Saksida, Verica Paunovic, Ivan Koprivica, Dragica Micanovic, Bojan Jevtic, Natalija Jonic, Ivana Stojanovic, Nada Pejnovic
Summary: Recent data suggest that the number and function of T regulatory cells (Treg) in the gut immune tissue are linked to the development of autoimmunity associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study aimed to explore the role of type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) in T1D pathogenesis. The findings showed that lower proportions of IL-2-expressing ILC3 and FoxP3(+) Treg in the small intestine lamina propria coincided with the progression and severity of diabetes.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Gian Marco Leone, Katia Mangano, Maria Cristina Petralia, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Paolo Fagone
Summary: Due to the important role of TNF-alpha in immunoinflammatory diseases, TNF-alpha inhibitors have been successfully developed and used in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Currently, there are five approved anti-TNF-alpha drugs and biosimilars available. This review discusses the historical development, current and potential future applications, as well as the search for biomarkers to predict responsiveness to these therapies.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Hazael Ramiro Ceja-Galvez, Francisco Israel Renteria-Flores, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Jorge Hernandez-Bello, Gabriela Macedo-Ojeda, Jose Francisco Munoz-Valle
Summary: By January of 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in 6,700,883 deaths and 662,631,114 cases worldwide, with no effective therapies or standardized treatment schemes available. This review aims to analyze the most efficient and promising therapies and drugs for prevention and treatment of severe COVID-19, providing support for healthcare professionals in choosing the best pharmacological approach.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Katia Mangano, Maria Cristina Petralia, Rita Bella, Manuela Pennisi, Jose Francisco Munoz-Valle, Jorge Hernandez-Bello, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Paolo Fagone
Summary: This study evaluated the expression levels of galectin-3 in different cell populations involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Higher levels of galectin-3 were observed in encephalitogenic CD4+ T cells, microglial cells, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes from MS models and human MS-related white matter lesions. Galectin-3 was found to be co-expressed with genes involved in the regulation of microglia, cytokine production, and chemotaxis. This study provides comprehensive evidence for the potential pathogenic role of galectin-3 in the development of MS.
IMMUNOLOGIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Ferdinando Nicoletti, Luisa Di Menna, Luisa Iacovelli, Rosamaria Orlando, Anna Rita Zuena, P. Jeffrey Conn, Shalini Dogra, Max E. Joffe
Summary: Cellular responses to metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor activation are influenced by mechanisms of receptor-receptor interaction, including receptor dimerization and complex formation with other GPCRs. The interactions between different mGlu receptor subtypes and other receptors have been studied in various brain regions and have been implicated in the pathophysiology of several neurological and psychiatric disorders. Understanding these interactions could lead to the development of new therapeutic targets for these conditions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nikola Ralchev Ralchev, Silviya Lyubenova Bradyanova, Yana Valerieva Doneva, Nikolina Mihaylova, Elena Vikentieva Elefterova-Florova, Andrey Ivanov Tchorbanov, Jose Francisco Munoz-Valle, Maria Cristina Petralia, Paola Checconi, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Paolo Fagone
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant threat to global public health. The involvement of CD74 and D-DT in COVID-19 patients has been investigated, and further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and potential therapeutic value of targeting CD74 and IL-13 in COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paolo Fagone, Eliana Piombino, Katia Mangano, Rocco De Pasquale, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Rosario Caltabiano
Summary: This study found a negative correlation between HMOX1 levels and the inflammatory status, as well as the infiltration of M1 macrophages and activated mastocytes in DLE lesions. These findings suggest that HMOX1 plays a crucial role in the regulation of inflammation in DLE and could be a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for DLE.
Meeting Abstract
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
M. Ferhat, K. Mangano, F. Nicoletti, C. Landlinger, T. Michael
JOURNAL OF CROHNS & COLITIS
(2023)
