Review
Immunology
Aniefiok John Udoakang, Alexandra Lindsey Djomkam Zune, Kesego Tapela, Nora Nghochuzie Nganyewo, Frances Ngozi Olisaka, Claudia Adzo Anyigba, Sylvia Tawiah-Eshun, Irene Amoakoh Owusu, Lily Paemka, Gordon A. Awandare, Peter Kojo Quashie
Summary: In December 2019, a novel pneumonic condition called COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 emerged in China and spread globally. COVID-19 is more severe in individuals with underlying medical conditions such as TB and HIV/AIDS. Co-infections of SARS-CoV-2 with HIV and Mtb have been reported, which may impact disease progression. Therefore, it is important to understand the biological and epidemiological interactions between COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, and TB.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Igor Pokotylo, Michael Hodges, Volodymyr Kravets, Eric Ruelland
Summary: This review focuses on the inhibitory effect of salicylic acid (SA) on plant growth and discusses whether this process is regulated and if the role of SA in immunity necessarily leads to growth suppression. The article highlights molecular targets of SA that interfere with growth and describes scenarios where SA can improve plant immunity without a growth penalty.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Yasmina Filali-Mouncef, Catherine Hunter, Federica Roccio, Stavroula Zagkou, Nicolas Dupont, Charlotte Primard, Tassula Proikas-Cezanne, Fulvio Reggiori
Summary: Autophagic pathways intersect with lipid homeostasis to provide energy and building blocks essential for liver functions. Disruption of lipophagy regulation in fatty liver diseases, especially nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), may contribute to the development of hepatocellular carcinomas. This review focuses on the role of macroautophagy and macrolipophagy in NASH, highlighting the impact of inappropriate lipophagy on various types of liver cells.
Article
Immunology
Gunther Schoenrich, Mohammed O. Abdelaziz, Martin J. Raftery
Summary: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination of nerve cells. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection greatly increases the risk of subsequent MS. EBV induces both human interleukin-10 (IL-10) and a similar molecule, encoded by the virus (ebvIL-10), which work together to establish latent infection in B cells and balance the function of antiviral T cells. If the set point is too high, MS may be induced as collateral damage.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Anais Blanchet, Agathe Bourgmayer, Jean-Emmanuel Kurtz, Georg Mellitzer, Christian Gaiddon
Summary: The p53 family plays a crucial role in gastric cancer, but its complexity results in uncertainty in treatment efficacy and the lack of predictive markers, leading to predominantly cytotoxic chemotherapy and low response rates to immunotherapy for a minority of patients.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria Ciaffaglione, Enrico Rizzarelli
Summary: Dysregulated metal homeostasis, especially altered levels of zinc and copper, is associated with arthritic diseases. Carnosine emerges as a biomarker and exerts protective and osteogenic effects in arthritic joints. The zinc(II) complex, polaprezinc, also shows potential for bone fracture healing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Adrian S. D'costa, Nicolas Bordenave
Summary: This review summarizes the two-way interactions between starch, fibers, and phenolic compounds and their effects on their physical, chemical, and biochemical properties as well as nutritional properties. In vitro studies show that complexes formed by phenolics and polysaccharides can alter their properties, but these observations are poorly reflected in clinical studies, suggesting the need for further research on three-way interactions.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Terenzio Congiu, Mawadda Alghrably, Abdul-Hamid Emwas, Lukasz Jaremko, Joanna Lachowicz, Marco Piludu, Monica Piras, Gavino Faa, Giuseppina Pichiri, Mariusz Jaremko, Pierpaolo Coni
Summary: The study shows that binary metformin/amylin and tertiary copper (II)/amylin/metformin complexes with high cellular toxicity are formed and lead to the formation of aggregated multi-level lamellar structures on the cell membrane. The increased concentration of amylin, copper (II) and metformin in kidneys of T2DM patients may be correlated with the development of diabetic nephropathy.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Dieter Kabelitz
Summary: This study reveals the interplay between γδ T cells and NK cells in antitumor immunity, providing new insights for improving γδ T cell immunotherapy.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yujun Xu, Xinghan Liu, Yi Li, Huan Dou, Huaping Liang, Yayi Hou
Summary: The study demonstrated that SPIONs did not affect the basic characteristics of MSCs and even promoted their survival in inflammatory conditions. SPION-MSCs enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of liver injury in sepsis animal models, with this protective effect being related to macrophages.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
William J. Snell
Summary: In the process of sexual reproduction in Chlamydomonas, a unicellular green alga, conserved cellular events including ciliary adhesion, fusion of gametes, and nuclear fusion take place. These events are driven by three conserved protein families. Species-specific recognition in Chlamydomonas activates viral-like fusogen HAP2, while the conserved nuclear envelope fusion protein KAR5/GEX1 is essential for nuclear fusion in Arabidopsis. Heterodimerization of BELL-KNOX proteins signals for nuclear fusion in Chlamydomonas through early diverging land plants.
CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Qingyu Zhao, Yi Zhang, Lan Xiao, Haiping Lu, Yaping Ma, Qi Liu, Xin Wang
Summary: The study utilized a hybrid technique combining exosomes with nanotubes to regulate inflammation, MSC migration, and osteogenesis, thereby promoting the migration and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells. Experimental results demonstrated that EVs hybrid TNT significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines, enhanced the migration ability of MSCs, and significantly increased osteogenic differentiation.
REGENERATIVE BIOMATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Lin Zhang, Xiaoxu Zhang, Yubin Liu, Weiyuan Zhang, Chu-Tse Wu, Lisheng Wang
Summary: Studies have shown that CD146+ mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can improve the survival of sepsis animals by increasing Treg cells, promoting macrophage phagocytosis, and having robust anti-inflammatory effects. This research is important for the understanding and treatment of sepsis.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marta Dymowska, Aleksandra Aksamit, Katarzyna Zielniok, Monika Kniotek, Beata Kaleta, Aleksander Roszczyk, Michal Zych, Filip Dabrowski, Leszek Paczek, Anna Burdzinska
Summary: Although both BM-MSCs and WJ-MSCs have the ability to interact reciprocally with macrophages, the source of MSCs could slightly but significantly modify the response under clinical settings. WJ-MSCs secreted significantly more IL-6 than BM-MSCs and showed higher responsiveness to M1-derived chemotactic signals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Beatriz Hernaez-Estrada, Ainhoa Gonzalez-Pujana, Andoni Cuevas, Ander Izeta, Kara L. L. Spiller, Manoli Igartua, Edorta Santos-Vizcaino, Rosa Maria Hernandez
Summary: Hair follicle-derived MSCs have unique immunomodulatory capacities and are advantageous as an alternative source due to their relatively painless and minimally risky extraction procedure. These cells show minimal responsiveness to pro-inflammatory environments, effectively inhibit the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, promote the induction of regulatory T cells, and skew macrophages towards M2 phenotypes.
Letter
Rheumatology
Maria De Santis, Antonio Voza, Victor Savevski, Salvatore Badalamenti, Maurizio Cecconi, Alberto Mantovani, Carlo Selmi
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Elisa Pani, Elisa Negri, Chiara Cini, Luca Landi, Alberto Mantovani, Giulia Bortot, Lorenzo Masieri
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic treatment for ureterocele and compare the results between orthotopic and ectopic cases. The study found that endoscopic treatment was effective in resolving dilation, preventing urinary infections, and preserving renal function. Unlike previous studies, vesicoureteral reflux without urinary tract infections was not considered a failure of the procedure.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC UROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Paolo Corradini, Chiara Agrati, Giovanni Apolone, Alberto Mantovani, Diana Giannarelli, Vincenzo Marasco, Veronica Bordoni, Alessandra Sacchi, Giulia Matusali, Carlo Salvarani, Pier Luigi Zinzani, Renato Mantegazza, Fabrizio Tagliavini, Maria Teresa Lupo-Stanghellini, Fabio Ciceri, Silvia Damian, Antonio Uccelli, Daniela Fenoglio, Nicola Silvestris, Fausto Baldanti, Giulia Piaggio, Gennaro Ciliberto, Aldo Morrone, Franco Locatelli, Valentina Sinno, Maria Rescigno, Massimo Costantini
Summary: This study investigated the immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with tumors and immune disorders. The results showed that immunosuppressive treatment was a risk factor for a low humoral response, while the booster dose improved both humoral and T-cell responses.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Davit Pipoyan, Seda Stepanyan, Meline Beglaryan, Alberto Mantovani
Summary: This study aimed to assess the dietary exposure of the adult population in Yerevan, Armenia to nickel. Based on a total diet study and analysis, fruits, vegetables, and bread were identified as the main sources of nickel intake. The estimated chronic dietary exposure was below the safety standards for both age and gender groups, suggesting low health risks. However, acute oral exposure to nickel may pose potential health concerns for sensitized individuals.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Alberto Mantovani, Cecilia Garlanda
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Alberto Mantovani, Maria Rescigno, Guido Forni, Francesca Tognon, Giovanni Putoto, Jerry Ictho, Peter Lochoro
Summary: This article reviews the modes of action of COVID-19 vaccines, including innate immunity, trained innate immunity, and mucosal responses. It also discusses the inequality in access to vaccines and vaccine-related immunological research in Africa. The authors argue that strengthening immunology research in Africa can provide insights into fundamental aspects of vaccination, including the relevance of genetics, trained innate immunity, and microbiome diversity.
TRENDS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marco Erreni, Francesca D'Autilia, Roberta Avigni, Evangelia Bolli, Sana M. Arnouk, Kiavash Movahedi, Pieterjan Debie, Achille Anselmo, Raffaella Parente, Cecile Vincke, Fijs W. B. van Leeuwen, Paola Allavena, Cecilia Garlanda, Alberto Mantovani, Andrea Doni, Sophie Hernot, Jo A. Van Ginderachter
Summary: Nanobodies (Nbs) have been identified as an elegant alternative to conventional monoclonal antibodies for cancer therapy, but there is a lack of detailed microscopic insight into the in vivo pharmacokinetics of different Nb formats in tumor-bearers, especially for the targeting of pro-tumoral tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) located in less penetrable tumor regions.
Article
Oncology
Nina Cortese, Roberta Carriero, Marialuisa Barbagallo, Anna Rita Putignano, Guido Costa, Fabio Giavazzi, Fabio Grizzi, Fabio Pasqualini, Clelia Peano, Gianluca Basso, Sergio Marchini, Federico Simone Colombo, Cristiana Soldani, Barbara Franceschini, Luca Di Tommaso, Luigi Terracciano, Matteo Donadon, Guido Torzilli, Paolo Kunderfranco, Alberto Mantovani, Federica Marchesi
Summary: Two M4 markers associated with opposite clinical relevance were identified through single-cell analysis, indicating the importance of improved classification and prognostic classifiers for patients with colorectal liver metastasis.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mattia Loppini, Marco Di Maio, Roberta Avigni, Roberto Leone, Antonio Inforzato, Guido Grappiolo, Alberto Mantovani, Barbara Bottazzi
Summary: This study evaluated the diagnostic potential of synovial and plasmatic PTX3 in hip and knee periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The results showed that synovial PTX3 had high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing PJI, while plasmatic PTX3 failed to differentiate infected from non-infected patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Diletta Di Mitri, Fabio Conforti, Alberto Mantovani
Summary: In the microenvironment of prostate bone metastasis, macrophages activate a cascade involving Activin A, the extracellular matrix, and SRC kinase, leading to resistance against anti-androgen therapy. These findings have broad implications, including metastasis diversity in different tissue milieus and the interplay between hormones and immunity.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jonathan Muri, Valentina Cecchinato, Andrea Cavalli, Akanksha A. A. Shanbhag, Milos Matkovic, Maira Biggiogero, Pier Andrea Maida, Jacques Moritz, Chiara Toscano, Elaheh Ghovehoud, Raffaello Furlan, Franca Barbic, Antonio Voza, Guendalina De Nadai, Carlo Cervia, Yves Zurbuchen, Patrick Taeschler, Lilly A. Murray, Gabriela Danelon-Sargenti, Simone Moro, Tao Gong, Pietro Piffaretti, Filippo Bianchini, Virginia Crivelli, Lucie Podesvova, Mattia Pedotti, David Jarrossay, Jacopo Sgrignani, Sylvia Thelen, Mario Uhr, Enos Bernasconi, Andri Rauch, Antonio Manzo, Adrian Ciurea, Marco B. L. Rocchi, Luca Varani, Bernhard Moser, Barbara Bottazzi, Marcus Thelen, Brian A. Fallon, Onur Boyman, Alberto Mantovani, Christian Garzoni, Alessandra Franzetti-Pellanda, Mariagrazia Uguccioni, Davide F. Robbiani
Summary: We found that antibodies against specific chemokines are commonly present in COVID-19 convalescents and are associated with favorable disease outcomes and a decreased risk of long COVID development at 1 year post-infection. These chemokine antibodies are also found in HIV-1 infection and autoimmune disorders, but target different chemokines compared to COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies derived from COVID-19 convalescents that bind to the chemokine N-loop impair cell migration. Naturally occurring chemokine antibodies may modulate the inflammatory response and have therapeutic potential.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Damiano Chiari, Barbara Pirali, Vittoria Perano, Roberto Leone, Alberto Mantovani, Barbara Bottazzi
Summary: This article investigates the role of long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in immune dysregulation, tissue remodeling, and oncogenesis, and finds that PTX3 may be a common factor underlying nodular thyroid disease, thyroid cancer, and autoimmune thyroid disorders.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Elena Azzolini, Maximiliano Mollura, Chiara Pozzi, Leonardo Ubaldi, Alberto Mantovani, Carlo Selmi, Riccardo Barbieri, Maria Rescigno
Summary: An important issue often ignored is the discrepancy in medical treatment response between male and female genders. COVID-19 vaccine administration has revealed that females tend to experience more adverse events compared to males despite following identical protocols. Through logistic regression analysis of adverse events in 2385 healthcare workers receiving the Comirnaty vaccine, we found that age, sex, COVID-19 history, and BMI may contribute to the development of adverse events, particularly in young subjects, females, and individuals with a BMI below 25 kg/m(2). Furthermore, partial dependence plots indicate a 50% probability of mild adverse events lasting for a long period (>= 7 days) or any duration of severe adverse events in women below 40 years old with a BMI < 20 kg/m(2). Given that this effect is more prominent after the second vaccine dose, we propose adjusting the vaccine dosage for additional booster doses based on age, sex, and BMI to reduce adverse events without compromising vaccine efficacy.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Simone Sforza, Valeria Emma Palmieri, Maria Rosaria Raspollini, Giandomenico Roviello, Alberto Mantovani, Umberto Basso, Maria Carmen Affinita, Alberto D'Angelo, Lorenzo Antonuzzo, Marco Carini, Andrea Minervini, Lorenzo Masieri
Summary: This study reviewed the literature on robotic surgery in Wilms' tumor and reported the first case of adult WT management using both neoadjuvant chemotherapy and robotic strategy.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF UROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Law
Sari Autio, Herman Koeter, Mar Carretero, Anthony Hardy, Alberto Mantovani
Summary: This article presents the external evaluations conducted by an international committee on the scientific risk assessment and decision-making processes of the Netherlands Competent Authority for the authorization of plant protection products and biocides (Ctgb) in 2013 and 2018. Based on the experience gained from these evaluations, a general guidance for such visitations is suggested. The article emphasizes the importance of openness and transparency during the visitation process, as well as the value of focusing on recommendations and constructive suggestions instead of searching for mistakes and omissions. It is also recommended to conduct follow-up evaluations to maintain a high-level scientific output. Furthermore, in light of the push towards harmonization of regulatory practices for hazardous chemicals across the European Union, a voluntary evaluation of regulatory authorities' scientific performance is suggested as a means for organizational learning.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF RISK REGULATION
(2023)
