IMMUNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS

BMSCs Downregulate CXCL12 by Secreting Exosomal miR-20a-5p to Promote Macrophage M2 Polarization and Alleviate the Development of Sepsis
Cheng L, Feng B, Xie C, Chen C and Guo L
Sepsis is a syndrome of the systemic inflammatory response caused by infection that can endanger a patient's life. The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism by which bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (BMSCs-exo) carrying miR-20a-5p regulate the progression of sepsis.
Buserelin Promotes the Differentiation and Function of Macrophage-Colony-Stimulating Factor-Producing T Helper Cells
Li H, Zheng A, Jian L and Xiang JB
Buserelin has been used to treat central precocious puberty (CPP). However, it could potentially result in immune dysregulation to undermine patients' health. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the effects of buserelin on immune cells. Here we explored buserelin-induced impacts on the differentiation and function of macrophage-colony-stimulating factor-producing T helper (ThGM) cells to uncover the immunoregulatory role of buserelin.
Integrated Genetic and Cellular Analysis Reveals NLRP1 Activation in CD4+ T Lymphocytes During Chronic HIV Infection
Leal VNC, Roa MEGV, Cantoni JS, Reis ECD, Lara AN and Pontillo A
Most of the investigations related to inflammasome activation during HIV infection have focused on the receptor NLRP3 and innate immune cells such as monocytes/macrophages. However, during the past years, inflammasome activation has also been explored in lymphocytes, and novel sensors, other than the NLRP3, have been shown to play a role in the biology of these cells. Here, we hypothesized that NLRP1 may be involved in CD4+ T cell dysregulation in people living with HIV (PLWH), therefore contributing to chronic inflammation and to the pathogenesis of non-HIV-associated diseases.
NOD1 Agonist Induces Proliferation and Plasma Cell Differentiation of Mouse B Cells Especially CD23 B Cells
Seguin C, Seif M, Jacoberger-Foissac C, Gentine P, Wantz M, Frisch B, Heurtault B and Fournel S
Like innate cells, B cells also express Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) to detect danger signal such as tissue damage or pathogen intrusion. Production of specific antibodies by plasma cells results from the activation and differentiation of B cells following three signals: (i) antigen recognition by B Cell Receptors, (ii) recognition of danger and (iii) T-cell help. However, it is unclear whether T-cell help is dispensable for B cell activation and differentiation or not. Few studies have investigated the role of cytosolic PRRs such as NOD1 in B cell differentiation.
Combination Effect of Radiotherapy and Targeted Therapy with NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy in head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Son WC, Lee HR, Koh EK, Park GY, Kang HB, Song J, Ahn SY and Park YS
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a poor prognosis, and current treatments are limited by high toxicity and low survival rates, highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches. Natural killer (NK) cells can identify and eliminate cancer cells without prior antigen exposure. Radiotherapy directly targets tumors and increases activating ligands on tumor cells, promoting NK cell interactions. Cetuximab, an EGFR-targeting antibody, enhances NK cell cytotoxicity. Additionally, anti-PD-1 antibodies may further boost NK cell function by blocking inhibitory signals. The study aimed to enhance HNSCC treatment efficacy by combining radiotherapy and targeted therapy with expanded NK cells.
Evaluation of the Immunoadjuvant Effects of miR-155-Chitosan Polyplex on Infected Mice
Pourabbasi Ardekan A, Haghighi A, Mohammadi-Yeganeh S, Ghorbani-Bidkorpeh F, Kashefi S, Koochaki A, Movahedi S, Rahmani Y, Najafi Dastenaei A and Haji Molla Hoseini M
MicroRNAs have gained attention as key immunomodulators, with miR-155 specifically shown in various studies to drive macrophage polarization toward the classical phenotype. This polarization is crucial, as classical macrophages play a well-recognized role in differentiating type-1 immune responses and resisting infection.
Differential Expression of Granulysin, MHC Class I-Related Chain A, and Perforin in Serum and Peritoneal Fluid: Immune Dysregulation in Endometriosis-Related Infertility
Ahsan F, Santoso B, Rahmawati NY, Alditia FN, Mufid AF, Sa'adi A, Dwiningsih SR, Tunjungseto A and Widyanugraha MYA
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Molecules linked to natural killer (NK) and cytotoxic T cells, including granulysin (GNLY), MHC class I-related chain A (MICA), and perforin (PRF1) support immune surveillance, though their roles in endometriosis remain unclear. This study investigates the association of these molecules with clinical parameters in infertile women with endometriosis.
Cordycepin Alleviates Lipopolysaccharides-Induced Preeclampsia-Like Impairments in Rats
Jian F and Zhang X
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that can lead to life-threatening conditions such as seizures, strokes, and even death. A dysregulated inflammatory response in the placenta plays a crucial role in the development of preeclampsia. Cordycepin, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, was the focus of this study, which aimed to investigate its effects on preeclampsia.
Analysis of Inflammatory and Regulatory Cytokines in the Milk of Dairy Cows with Mastitis: A Comparative Study with Healthy Animals
Lohova E, Pilmane M, Šerstņova K, Melderis I, Gontar Ł, Kochański M, Drutowska A, Maróti G and Prieto-Simón B
Bovine mastitis remains a major problem in the global dairy cattle industry. The acute invasion of udder by pathogens induces innate immune response as the first defence mechanism in subclinical and clinical mastitis. The aim of the study was to determine inflammatory and regulatory cytokines IL-2, IL-4, TGF-β1, IL-17A, beta-defensin 3 and IL-10 and their potential changes in milk of dairy cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis, and to compare the findings with healthy animals. Milk samples from 15 holstein Friesian breed cows were used in the study. Cows were divided into three groups based on their health status (5 healthy, 5 subclinical and 5 clinical animals). All samples were tested using immunohistochemistry to evaluate IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL17A, TGF-β1 and β-Def 3 proteins. Expression of all proteins was detected in all milk samples. High expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL17A, TGF-β1 was detected in healthy cows' milk and in milk of cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis. However, expression of IL-10 and β-Def 3 in milk samples of healthy cows was significantly higher compared to the milk of cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis ( < .001). IL-10 and β-Def 3 can be considered as informative biomarkers in diagnosis of subclinical and clinical mastitis.
BMSCs-Derived Extracellular VesiclemiR-29a-3p Improved the Stability of Rat Myasthenia Gravis by Regulating Treg/Th17 Cells
Tang Z, Chen M, Chen C, Fan C and Huang J
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder. Microvesicle-derived miRNAs have been implicated in autoimmune diseases. However, the role of microvesicle-derived miR-29a-3p in MG remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of miR-29a-3p derived from stem cell microvesicles (MVs) on experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) rats.
Increase in Mitochondrial Mass of Lymphocyte Subsets in Anti-MDA5 and TIF1-γ-Positive Dermatomyositis Patients
Li X, Ma Q, Huang Y, Cheng L, Liu Y, Li H, Zhan H, Zhang F, Liu Y and Li Y
The mitochondrial function in anti-MDA5 and TIF1-γ-positive dermatomyositis (DM) is relatively unknown. This study attempted to explore mitochondrial mass within the peripheral lymphocyte subsets of anti-MDA5 and TIF1-γ-positive DM.
Soybean Isoflavones Alleviate Osteoarthritis Through Modulation of the TSC1/mTORC1 Signaling Pathway to Reduce Intrachondral Angiogenesis
Zou Y, Wang Z, Shi H, Hu J and Hu W
The incidence of osteoarthritis (OA) is increasing, yet its pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Recent studies suggest that abnormal subchondral bone remodeling plays a crucial role in OA development, highlighting a gap in clinical treatments targeting this aspect. Soybean Isoflavone (SI) has shown potential in treating OA, although its mechanisms are not fully understood.
Correlation and Clinical Significance of HBD-2 and CXCL-1/2 Levels at Skin Lesions with Psoriasis Vulgaris Severity
Lin L, Luo Q, Gao X, Li Q, Li W, Zhou X, Liu W, Zhong X, Yang Y and Zhang X
This study was performed to explore the clinical significance of the expression of human beta-defensin 2 (HBD-2) and chemokine ligand 1/2 (CXCL-1/2) in psoriasis vulgaris.
Statement of Retraction: Prophylactic Effect of BIO-1211 Small-Molecule Antagonist of VLA-4 in the EAE Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Serum-Derived Exosomal TBX2-AS1 Exacerbates COPD by Altering the M1/M2 Ratio of Macrophages through Regulating the miR-423-5p/miR-23b-3p Axis
Wang J, Luo Q, Gu T, An F, Zhou Y, Min Y, Zhang R and Jiang Y
To investigate the mechanism of serum exosomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially the effect of lncRNA TBX2-AS1 on macrophage polarization.
Tectochrysin Alleviates Periodontitis by Modulating M2/M1 Macrophage Ratio and Oxidative Stress Via Nuclear Factor Kappa B/Heme Oxygenase-1/Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Pathway
Yin Y, Weng Y, Ma Z and Li L
Tectochrysin suppresses several diseases. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of tectochrysin ona rat model of periodontitis PDS).
Novel Serum Markers that Distinguish Behcet's Disease from Idiopathic Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis
Zhu M, Mao X, Huang X, Gan M, Zhang K and Chen Y
Behcet's disease (BD) is a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disorder characterized by systemic vasculitis, frequently manifested as recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). We aim to identify specific serum proteins to discriminate between BD and idiopathicRAS.
3D Bioprinting of Pig Macrophages and Human Cells Discovered the P2Y14 Receptor as a Mediator of Xenogenic Immune Responses
Kim H and Kim SJ
The survival rate of pig lung xenotransplantation (PLXTx) recipients is severely limited by intense xenogenic immune responses, necessitating further insights into xenogeneic immunity and the development of models to study the PLXTx immune response.
The Relationship Between Serum IgE Level and IL-4 and IL-13 Cytokines in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Mozooni Z, Faraji F, Minaeian S and Bahadorizadeh L
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignancy of the digestive system in the world. Immune cells and molecules in tumor microenvironment are crucial.Identifying immune system components in cancer aids in biomarker discovery. This study investigated the serum IgE levels and expression of IL-4 and IL-13 in the tissue and serum of CRC patients and explored their possible association with pathological and clinical factors.
The Physiological and Therapeutic Role of CD47 in Macrophage Function and Cancer
Bess SN, Igoe MJ and Muldoon TJ
Immunotherapy is an emerging strategy in cancer therapeutics aimed at modulating the immune system to inhibit pro-tumor pathways and increase a tumor's sensitivity to chemotherapy. Several clinically approved immunotherapy treatments, such as monoclonal antibody treatments, have been successful in solid tumors such as breast, colorectal, and pancreatic. However, an outstanding challenge of these strategies is tumor cell resistance. One target of interest for immune cell modulation is targeting macrophages that enter the tumor microenvironment. More specifically, an immune checkpoint of interest is CD47. CD47 is a transmembrane protein that inhibits phagocytic activity by acting as a "don't eat me" signal. In both mice and humans, healthy cells can express CD47, while solid malignancies like colorectal and breast cancer express it most strongly.
IRF3 Promotes Asthma Pathogenesis by Regulating Type 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells
Liang Z, Chen Z, Chen J, Zhou Y, Chen H, Gu M, Yan D and Yang Q
Allergic asthma is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness triggered by inhaled allergens. Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in promoting airway inflammation through the secretion of type 2 effector cytokines. However, the mechanisms underlying the functions of lung ILC2s remain unclear.