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Topic Review
Caspase Inhibition in Pemphigus Vulgaris Treatment
Pemphigus vulgaris is a potentially fatal autoimmune blistering disease characterised by blister formation affecting the skin and mucous membranes.
  • 1.0K
  • 23 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Dendritic Cells
Dendritic cells (DCs) are a unique myeloid cell lineage that play a central role in the priming of the adaptive immune response.  DCs are crucial sentinel cells able to recognize diverse tumor-associated antigens (TAA). Despite DCs critical “mentoring” role for T cells, single-agent DC-based therapies have been minimally successful and their combination with standard of care therapies and novel immunotherapies have shown limited improvement. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is likely the main reason for this reduced efficacy. The TME significantly shapes the phenotype and function of DCs rendering them dysfunctional and tolerogenic in orchestrating an effective anti-tumor response.
  • 1.0K
  • 26 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Diseases with Potential Lectin Pathway Involvement
The complement system is the other major proteolytic cascade in the blood of vertebrates besides the coagulation-fibrinolytic system. Among the three main activation routes of complement, the lectin pathway (LP) has been discovered the latest, and it is still the subject of intense research. Uncontrolled complement activation can contribute to the progression of many diseases (e.g. stroke, kidney diseases, thrombotic complications, and COVID-19). In most cases the lectin pathway has also been implicated. 
  • 1.0K
  • 31 Jan 2024
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Safety
Recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection requires a solid first line of innate immunity defense, namely release of interferon-alpha and beta, which interfere with viral replication.  These critical defense factors are produced upon encounter of the RNA of the virus that succeeded in host cell invasion with the cytoplasmic innate immunity receptors, notably retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-1).  A second line of defense would be the host generation of neutralizing and opsonic antibodies capable of preventing virus entry and virus spread, respectively.  We need to avoid or dampen host generation of powerful cytotoxic T cells, which lead to destruction of the host heart, lung, kidney, and small intestine cells presenting the viral peptides on their surface membrane, and potential organ failure and destruction.  We herein wish to demonstrate that the vaccine should be based uniquely on SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein subunit 1 polypeptide, because that subunit is released upon virus invasion, and does not penetrate host critical cells in the heart, lung, liver, kidney and small intestine.  Differently from all other viral peptides, subunit 1 peptides are not readily processed for presentation on the surface of the host structural cells, rendering them targets for the destructive action of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells.  
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  • 14 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most frequent hematological neoplasm in the world with more than 544,000 new NHL cases diagnosed in 2020 (2.8% of all cancer diagnoses). Of all the NHL subtypes, the most common is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), accounting for approximately 40% of lymphoma cases. DLBCL is also one of the most aggressive subtypes; 5-year survival in elderly patients does not exceed 40%. The most common first-line treatment for DLBCL is chemoimmunotherapy containing rituximab, the so-called R-CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine), which fails in 30–40% of patients. Although relapsed/refractory (r/r) patients receive second-line treatment or may undergo autologous stem cell transplantation, their prognosis remains poor. Years of employment of rituximab as a core of first-line treatment and recent observations on CAR-T cell therapy clearly demonstrate that the use of immunotherapy invariably leads to the induction of resistance.
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  • 23 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Clinical Strategies of CAR-T-Cell Therapy for Hematological Malignancies
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have been successfully used for hematological malignancies, especially for relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patients who have undergone conventional chemo-immunotherapy and have relapsed can achieve complete remission for several months with the infusion of CAR T-cells. However, side effects and short duration of response are still major barriers to further CAR T-cell therapy. To improve the efficacy, multiple targets, the discovery of new target antigens, and CAR T-cell optimization have been extensively studied.
  • 1.0K
  • 14 Oct 2022
Topic Review
The Next-Generation Immune Checkpoint LAG-3
The blockade of immune checkpoints (ICPs), such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), has propelled the field of immuno-oncology into its current era.
  • 1.0K
  • 13 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Inflammation
Inflammation, a vital and intricately regulated biological response, defends the body against threats like pathogens and injuries. When balanced, it supports health, but disruption can lead to chronic inflammation and diseases like cardiovascular issues and cancer. This exploration delves into inflammation's mechanisms, involving lipid-derived mediators, proinflammatory cytokines, vasoactive mediators, hydrolytic enzymes, reactive oxygen species, transcription factors, and the complement system. Understanding these elements is crucial for targeted therapies against inflammation-related diseases. Researchers continually uncover innovative strategies to restore the balance between protective and pathological inflammation, offering hope to millions with chronic inflammatory conditions. Advancements promise more effective management, a brighter future, and improved lives.
  • 1.0K
  • 08 Sep 2023
Topic Review
CAR T Cell Immune Therapy for Solid Tumors
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are genetically engineered T cells that recognize markers present on tumor cells and drive the degradation of the tumor itself. CAR T immunotherapy has obtained remarkable success in targeting a number of blood malignancies; however, its outcome is typically modest when applied to solid tumors, because of specific structural, biological, and metabolic aspects of the solid tumor environment. 
  • 1.0K
  • 08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Current Trends in Cancer Immunotherapy
The search for an effective drug to treat oncological diseases, which have become the main scourge of mankind, has generated a lot of methods for studying this affliction. It has also become a serious challenge for scientists and clinicians who have needed to invent new ways of overcoming the problems encountered during treatments, and have also made important discoveries pertaining to fundamental issues relating to the emergence and development of malignant neoplasms. Understanding the basics of the human immune system interactions with tumor cells has enabled new cancer immunotherapy strategies. Understanding the ways in which present therapies work, their advantages and disadvantages and how we can improve therapies is essential for developing next generation, or new treatments for cancer. 
  • 1.0K
  • 30 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Periodontal NETs: Beneficence & Maleficence
Periodontitis is a general term for diseases characterised by inflammatory destruction of tooth-supporting tissues, gradual destruction of the marginal periodontal ligament and resorption of alveolar bone. Early-onset periodontitis is due to disturbed neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and clearance. Indeed, mutations that inactivate the cysteine proteases cathepsin C result in deficient NET formation and concomitant early-onset periodontitis. In contrast, exaggerated NET formation due to polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) hyper-responsiveness drives the pathology of late-onset periodontitis by damaging and ulcerating the gingival epithelium and retarding epithelial healing. Periodontitis progression ends with almost complete loss of the periodontal ligament and subsequent tooth exfoliation. 
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Macrophages Proliferation in Health and Disease
Macrophages are the most abundant immune cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and have multiple important functions in cancer. Macrophages comprise a heterogeneous and functionally versatile population of innate immune cells. Compelling evidence indicate that the high degree of plasticity of macrophages and their ability to self-renew majorly impact tumor progression and resistance to therapy. In addition, the microenvironmental factors largely affect the metabolism of macrophages and may have a major influence on TAMs proliferation and subsets functions. Thus, understanding the signaling pathways regulating TAMs self-renewal capacity may help to identify promising targets for the development of novel anticancer agents.
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  • 02 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Modeling Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are revolutionizing the treatment of cancer, but models that accurately predict their efficacy before administering them to humans are badly needed.  This entry presents the application of a microfluidic tumor model that simulates the interactions between immune cells and tumors in a dynamic microenvironment, utilizing real-time imaging and image analytic algorithms to demonstrate excellent correlations between the laboratory model and animal studies.  Future applications of the system in precision medicine will explore the use of the device for selecting patient-specific therapies for cancer.
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  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Complement System in Kidney Transplantation
Kidney transplantation is the therapy of choice for patients who suffer from end-stage renal diseases. Despite improvements in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive treatments, long-term graft survival remains a challenge. The complement cascade, a part of the innate immune system, plays a crucial role in the deleterious inflammatory reactions that occur during the transplantation process, such as brain or cardiac death of the donor and ischaemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, the complement system also modulates the responses of T cells and B cells to alloantigens, thus playing a crucial role in cellular as well as humoral responses to the allograft, which lead to damage to the transplanted kidney. 
  • 1.0K
  • 10 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Training vs. Tolerance of the Innate Immune System
Trained immunity represents a functional state of the innate immune cells and tissue-resident stem cells adjusting their response to subsequent insults, characterized particularly by a prolonged activation after a resting period, orchestrated mainly by epigenetic reprogramming and the metabolic rewiring of cells. It describes a property of innate immune system to mount memory-like responses against past microbial and non-microbial challenges. In contrast, the refractory state of endotoxin tolerance as opposing reaction of trained immunity has been extensively elaborated and defined as an immunosuppressive state of myeloid cells portrayed by a significant reduction in the inflammatory capacity. Both opposing adaptive reactions of the innate immune system are of fundamental interest since they may represent a double-edged sword counteracting each other, protecting or driving the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory diseases. 
  • 1.0K
  • 10 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Small heat shock proteins: Structure and subcellular localization
Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones participating primarily in protein folding preventing protein degradation and subsequent cellular distress.
  • 1.0K
  • 20 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Cytokines and Chemokines in Cancer Cachexia
Cancer cachexia, a muscle-wasting syndrome, remains a serious public health concern worldwide, particularly as cancer rates rise. Treatment is endangered, and survival is reduced because this illness is commonly misdiagnosed and undertreated. Although weight loss is the most evident sign of cachexia, there are other early metabolic and inflammatory changes that occur before the most obvious symptoms appear. Cachexia-related inflammation is induced by a combination of factors, one of which is the release of inflammation-promoting chemicals by the tumor. Today, more scientists are beginning to believe that the development of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) related cachexia is similar to cancer-related cachexia. 
  • 1.0K
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review
COVID-19 in the Brain and Nervous System
COVID-19 can spread throughout the central nervous system, impacting the brain and spinal cord, and neurological symptoms could explain this in people infected with long-term infection.
  • 1.0K
  • 29 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Colorectal Cancer (CRC)
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type, only behind breast cancer and lung cancer in females and prostate cancer and lung cancer in males. CRC is also a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.
  • 1.0K
  • 19 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Leptin in Obesity and Immune Response
Leptin, an adipokine regulating body fat mass, represents a key molecule in obesity, able to modulate immune responses and foster chronic inflammatory response in peripheral tissues.
  • 1.0K
  • 10 Jan 2022
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