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Topic Review
Biography
Peer Reviewed Entry
Video Entry
Topic Review
Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer
Immuno-oncology has redefined the treatment of lung cancer, with the ultimate goal being the reactivation of the anti-tumor immune response. However, a high percentage of lung cancer patients do not respond to these therapies or their responses are transient. Here, we summarized the impact of immunotherapy on lung cancer patients in the latest clinical trials conducted on this disease. As well as the mechanisms of primary and acquired resistance to immunotherapy in this disease.
771
17 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor
Transcytosis of polymeric IgA and IgM from the basolateral surface to the apical side of the epithelium and subsequent secretion into mucosal fluids are mediated by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR).
771
21 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Metformin Protects Livers against NASH-related-HCC
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly linked to the global epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Notably, NAFLD can progress from the mildest form of simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that increases the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a malignancy with a dismal prognosis and rising incidence in the United States and other developed counties, possibly due to the epidemic of NAFLD. Metformin, the first-line drug for T2DM, has been suggested to reduce risks for several types of cancers including HCC and protect against NASH-related HCC, as revealed by epidemical studies on humans and preclinical studies on animal models.
768
12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Intravenous Immune Globulin
Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) is made after processing plasma from healthy donors. It is composed mainly of pooled immunoglobulin and has clinical evidence-based applications in adult and pediatric populations.
767
14 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Property of Spices
Antimicrobial resistance increases day by day around the world. To overcome this situation new antimicrobial agents are needed. Spices such as clove, ginger, coriander, garlic, and turmeric have the potential to fight resistant microbes.
766
04 May 2023
Topic Review
Macrophage Polarization in Atherosclerosis
Macrophages (Macs) are one of the major cell types of the innate immune system. They regulate inflammation and clear infection through antigen presentation, polarization, and phagocytosis. Macs release cytokines to regulate other immune cells.
765
24 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Effects of Particulate Matter on Inflammation and Thrombosis
Ambient air pollution has become a common problem worldwide. Exposure to pollutant particles causes many health conditions, having a particular impact on pulmonary and cardiovascular disease. Increased understanding of the pathological processes related to these conditions may facilitate the prevention of the adverse impact of air pollution on our physical health.
764
04 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Basonym Lactobacillus plantarum) is a good candidate for developing oral vaccines because it survives gastrointestinal conditions transiently colonizing the intestinal tract, it beneficially modulates the mucosal immune responses not only locally (intestinal mucosa) but in distant mucosal sites as well (respiratory mucosa) and there are molecular techniques available for the manipulation of its genome.
763
14 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Macrophages and Cancer Development
Macrophages are innate immune cells pivotal for tissue homeostasis, removal of superfluous cells, and inflammatory responses to infections. Macrophages also play diverse roles in cancer development, ranging from antitumor activity in early progression stages to, most commonly, tumor-promoting roles in established cancer. Notably, macrophages are highly plastic cells and, depending on the microenvironmental cues in the Tumor Microenvironment (TME), can undergo marked changes in their function. In established cancers, high macrophage infiltration often strongly associates with poor prognosis or tumor progression in many types of solid tumors, including breast, bladder, head and neck, glioma, melanoma, and prostate cancer. Conversely, in colorectal and gastric cancers, high macrophage infiltration correlates with a better prognosis. These apparently opposite effects are likely related to macrophage plasticity and resultant heterogeneity of phenotype and functions in various cancers.
763
14 May 2021
Topic Review
Annelid Immune Response to Nanoparticles
Earthworms and leeches are sentinel animals that represent the annelid phylum within terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, respectively. One early stress signal in these organisms is related to innate immunity, but how nanomaterials affect it is poorly characterized. In this survey, we compare the latest literature on earthworm and leeches with examples of their molecular/cellular responses to inorganic (silver nanoparticles) and organic (carbon nanotubes) nanomaterials. A special focus is placed on the role of annelid immunocytes in the evolutionarily conserved antioxidant and immune mechanisms and protein corona formation and probable endocytosis pathways involved in nanomaterial uptake. Our summary helps to realize why these environmental sentinels are beneficial to study the potential detrimental effects of nanomaterials.
758
07 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Immunomodulation in Pancreatic Cancer
The majority of pancreatic cancer patients have a poor prognosis, where the five-year survival rate is 9% in the United States, with an increasing incidence rate of 1.03% per year. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer that makes up 90% of all diagnosed cases of pancreatic cancer. Other types of pancreatic cancer, such as neuroendocrine tumors, which secrete insulin, or acinar carcinomas, which release digestive enzymes, are less common. PDAC develops from neoplasms of the cells lining the pancreatic ducts and usually presents without symptoms until advanced stages of the disease. Here we discuss strategies for immunomodulation of pancreatic cancer.
758
26 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Immune Resistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the major subtype of lung cancer and represents the deadliest human cancer, affecting current-, ex-, and even non-smokers. LUAD is driven by the accumulation of mutations in several different genes, which results in uncontrolled proliferation of the lung cells and the formation of tumors.
757
01 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Evolution of TFs and Enhancers
Adaptive immunity relies on the V(D)J DNA recombination of immunoglobulin (Ig) and T cell receptor (TCR) genes, which enables the recognition of highly diverse antigens and the elicitation of antigen-specific immune responses. This process is mediated by recombination-activating gene (Rag) 1 and Rag2 (Rag1/2), whose expression is strictly controlled in a cell type-specific manner; the expression of Rag1/2 genes represents a hallmark of lymphoid lineage commitment. Although Rag genes are known to be evolutionally conserved among jawed vertebrates, how Rag genes are regulated by lineage-specific transcription factors (TFs) and how their regulatory system evolved among vertebrates have not been fully elucidated. Here, we review the current body of knowledge concerning the cis-regulatory elements (CREs) of Rag genes and the evolution of the basic helix-loop-helix TF E protein regulating Rag gene CREs, as well as the evolution of the antagonist of this protein, the Id protein. This may help to understand how the adaptive immune system develops along with the evolution of responsible TFs and enhancers.
757
09 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Gamma-Interferon in Cancer Hyperprogression
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improve the survival of patients with multiple types of cancer. However, low response rates and atypical responses limit their success in clinical applications. The paradoxical acceleration of tumor growth after treatment, defined as hyperprogressive disease (HPD), is the most difficult problem facing clinicians and patients alike. The mechanisms that underlie hyperprogression (HP) are still unclear and controversial, although a large number of studies have investigated the phenomenon and several associated factors have been reported. Gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) is a key cytokine in antitumor response and its levels increase during ICI therapy. Even though this factor has been widely associated with resistance to ICI therapy, it has not yet been demonstrated to be directly associated with HP. Nevertheless, data suggest that IFN-γ may contribute to HP onset through different mechanisms, including the activation of the inflammasome pathway, the expression of the immunosuppressive enzyme IDO1 and the triggering of activation-induced cell death (AICD) in effector T cells. These findings make IFN-γ worthy of attention in the context of HPD development.
756
07 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade Immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint blockade targeting PD-1/PD-L1 has a promising therapeutic efficacy in different tumors, but a significant percentage of patients cannot benefit from this therapy due to primary and acquired resistance during treatment. Key mechanisms about modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, such as depletion of Tregs, IDO, or MDSCs, interfering suppressive cytokines and inhibiting alternative immune checkpoints, may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.
754
01 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Osteoimmunology in Periodontitis
Periodontitis is one of the most common oral diseases resulting in gingival inflammation and tooth loss. Growing evidence indicates that it results from dysbiosis of the oral microbiome, which interferes with the host immune system, leading to bone destruction. Immune cells activate periodontal ligament cells to express the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) and promote osteoclast activity. Osteocytes have active roles in periodontitis progression in the bone matrix. Local proteins are involved in bone regeneration through functional immunological plasticity.
753
02 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Reactive Species on Innate Immunity
The role of reactive species RS (of oxygen ROS, nitrogen RNS and halogen RHS) on innate immunity is examined. The importance of these species in innate immunity was first recognized in phagocytes that underwent a “respiratory burst” after activation. The anion superoxide •O2− and hydrogen peroxide H2O2 are detrimental to the microbial population. NADPH oxidase NOx, as an •O2− producer is essential for microbial destruction, and patients lacking this functional oxidase are more susceptible to microbial infections. Reactive nitrogen species RNS (the most important are nitric oxide radical -•NO, peroxynitrite ONOO— and its derivatives), are also harmful to microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Hypochlorous acid HOCl and hypothiocyanous acid HOSCN synthesized through the enzyme myeloperoxidase MPO, which catalyzes the reaction between H2O2 and Cl− or SCN−, are important inorganic bactericidal molecules, effective against a wide range of microbes.
752
26 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Antiviral Activity of Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous free radical that is largely produced by the enzyme NO synthase (NOS) in cells. NO produced by upper epidermal cells contributes to the inactivation of viruses and bacteria contained in air or aerosols. In addition to enzymatic production, NO can be generated by the chemical reduction of inorganic nitrite (NO2−), an alternative mechanism for NO production in living organisms. Dietary vitamin C, largely contained in fruits and vegetables, can reduce the nitrite in saliva to produce NO in the oral cavity when chewing foods. In the stomach, salivary nitrite can also be reduced to NO by vitamin C secreted from the epidermal cells of the stomach. The strong acidic pH of gastric juice facilitates the chemical reduction of salivary nitrite to produce NO. It is evident that NO exhibits substantial antiviral activity against many types of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
752
28 Apr 2023
Topic Review
HLA Class I-Mediated Diseases
HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen) class I molecules are pivotal in the immuno-surveillance by presenting peptides to CD8+ T cells. However, some of these molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune/autoinflammatory diseases, but the exact role is still elusive. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have highlighted other important susceptibility factors such as Endoplasmic Reticulum Aminopeptidase ERAP1 and ERAP2 whose role is to refine the peptides presented by the HLA class I molecules to CD8+ T cells, pointing to an alteration in the antigen presentation as possible pathogenetic mechanism .
752
20 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Natural Killer Cells and Cytotoxic T Cells
Natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T (CD8+) cells are two of the most important types of immune cells in our body, protecting it from deadly invaders. While the NK cell is part of the innate immune system, the CD8+ cell is one of the major components of adaptive immunity. Still, these two very different types of cells share the most important function of destroying pathogen-infected and tumorous cells by releasing cytotoxic granules that promote proteolytic cleavage of harmful cells, leading to apoptosis.
751
08 Feb 2024
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