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Topic Review
Host Defense Peptides
Host defense peptides (HDPs), also known as antimicrobial peptides, are an important component of the innate immune system. HDPs possess both antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. HDPs and their derivatives are being actively explored for antimicrobial therapies. A host-directed approach to stimulate the synthesis of endogenous HDPs is also being developed to treat infections with a minimum risk for developing antimicrobial resistance.
  • 1.0K
  • 18 Apr 2023
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. 
  • 1.0K
  • 01 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Interleukins as Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Risk factors for CRC include obesity, a diet low in fruits and vegetables, physical inactivity, and smoking. CRC has a poor prognosis, and there is a critical need for new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers to reduce related deaths. Studies have focused more on molecular testing to guide targeted treatments for CRC patients. The most crucial feature of activated immune cells is the production and release of growth factors and cytokines that modulate the inflammatory conditions in tumor tissues. The cytokine network is valuable for the prognosis and pathogenesis of colorectal cancer as they can aid in the cost-effective and non-invasive detection of cancer. A large number of interleukins (IL) released by the immune system at various stages of CRC can act as “biomarkers”. They play diverse functions in colorectal cancer, and include IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-11, IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23, IL-33, TNF, TGF-β, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which are pro-tumorigenic genes. 
  • 1.0K
  • 10 May 2023
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.
  • 1.0K
  • 07 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Innate Immunity and SARS-CoV-2 Infection
The innate immune system is important for initial antiviral response. SARS-CoV-2 can result in overactivity or suppression of the innate immune system. A dysregulated immune response is associated with poor outcomes; with patients having significant Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratios (NLR) due to neutrophilia alongside lymphopenia. Elevated cytokines like interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 leads to overactivity and is a prominent feature of severe COVID-19 patients. Several factors like pre-existing co-morbidities, genetic risks, viral pathogenicity, and therapeutic efficacy act as important modifiers of SARS-CoV-2 risks for disease through an interplay with innate host inflammatory responses. In this review, we discuss the role of the innate immune system at play with other important modifiers in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • 1.0K
  • 21 Jun 2021
Topic Review
CAR-Based Therapy for Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases
The pervasive application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based cellular therapies in the treatment of oncological diseases has long been recognized. However, CAR T cells can target and eliminate autoreactive cells in autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases. By doing so, they can contribute to an effective and relatively long-lasting remission. In turn, CAR Treg interventions may have a highly effective and durable immunomodulatory effect via a direct or bystander effect, which may have a positive impact on the course and prognosis of autoimmune diseases. CAR-based cellular techniques have a complex theoretical foundation and are difficult to implement in practice, but they have a remarkable capacity to suppress the destructive functions of the immune system.
  • 1.0K
  • 07 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Dendritic Cells in Brief
Dendritic cells, often dubbed the "conductors" of the immune orchestra, are a remarkable subset of immune cells with a pivotal role in orchestrating our body's immune responses. Originating from hematopoietic stem cells, dendritic cells are strategically stationed in various tissues, acting as vigilant sentinels. These cells excel in capturing, processing, and presenting antigens to other immune cells, thereby initiating and shaping both innate and adaptive immunity. In the realm of innate immunity, dendritic cells are the rapid responders to infections and tissue damage. They sense danger signals, phagocytose pathogens, and release signals that summon reinforcements. Crucially, they bridge the gap between innate and adaptive immunity, acting as educators to naive T cells, thereby shaping our body's memory against specific pathogens. Beyond their role as immune initiators, dendritic cells play a vital part in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Their functions can either promote disease progression, as seen in certain infections, or help mitigate autoimmune reactions or combat cancer. As research advances, dendritic cells continue to be at the forefront of immunology, offering promising avenues for therapeutic interventions and a deeper understanding of immune responses and disease processes.
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Animal Inflammatory Bowel Disease
In the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the gut microbiota has been established as a key factor. Recently, metabolomics has become important for understanding the functional relevance of gut microbial changes in disease. Animal models for IBD enable the study of factors involved in disease development. However, results from animal studies may not represent the human situation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether results from metabolomics studies on animal models for IBD were similar to those from studies on IBD patients. Medline and Embase were searched for relevant studies up to May 2017. The Covidence systematic review software was used for study screening, and quality assessment was conducted for all included studies. Data showed a convergence of ~17% for metabolites differentiated between IBD and controls in human and animal studies with amino acids being the most differentiated metabolite subclass. The acute dextran sodium sulfate model appeared as a good model for analysis of systemic metabolites in IBD, but analytical platform, age, and biological sample type did not show clear correlations with any significant metabolites. In conclusion, this systematic review highlights the variation in metabolomics results, and emphasizes the importance of expanding the applied detection methods to ensure greater coverage and convergence between the various different patient phenotypes and animal models of inflammatory bowel disease.
  • 1.0K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Solid Tumors
Immunotherapies based on immune checkpoint blockade have shown remarkable clinical outcomes and durable responses in patients with many tumor types. These therapies lack efficacy in most cancer patients, even causing severe adverse events in a small subset of patients, such as inflammatory disorders and hyper-progressive disease. To diminish the risk of developing serious toxicities, intratumor delivery of monoclonal antibodies could be a solution. Encouraging results have been shown in both preclinical and clinical studies.
  • 1.0K
  • 16 Feb 2023
Topic Review
NOD-Like Receptors in Brief
NOD-Like Receptors (NLRs) represent a critical component of the innate immune system, serving as intracellular sentinels that detect a wide array of pathogenic and danger signals. These versatile receptors play a pivotal role in maintaining immune homeostasis, defending against microbial invaders, and contributing to the onset of inflammatory responses when necessary. 
  • 1.0K
  • 08 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Caspase-11 Non-Canonical Inflammasome
Inflammation is a body’s protective mechanism to eliminate invading pathogens and cellular damaging signals. The inflammatory response consists of two main consecutive steps—a priming step preparing the inflammatory responses and a triggering step boosting the inflammatory responses. The main feature of the triggering step is the activation of the inflammasome, an intracellular multiprotein complex facilitating the inflammatory responses. The regulatory roles of ‘canonical’ inflammasomes in the inflammatory responses and diseases have been largely investigated, so far. New types of inflammasomes have been recently discovered and named as ‘non-canonical’ inflammasomes since their roles to induce inflammatory responses are similar to those of canonical inflammasomes, however, the stimulating ligands and the underlying mechanisms are different. Therefore, a growing number of studies have actively investigated the novel roles of non-canonical inflammasomes in inflammatory responses and diseases.
  • 999
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Inflammation Markers in CKD
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the major health problems of the modern age. It represents an important public health challenge with an ever-lasting rising prevalence, which reached almost 700 million by the year 2017. Therefore, it is very important to identify patients at risk for CKD development and discover risk factors that cause the progression of the disease. Several studies have tackled this conundrum in recent years, novel markers have been identified, and new insights into the pathogenesis of CKD have been gained. This review summarizes the evidence on markers of inflammation and their role in the development and progression of CKD. It will focus primarily on cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules. Nevertheless, further large, multicenter studies are needed to establish the role of these markers and confirm possible treatment options in everyday clinical practice. 
  • 999
  • 14 Mar 2021
Topic Review
B7 Molecules on Dendritic Cells after LPS Stimulation
A key aspect of the inflammatory phenomenon is the involvement of costimulatory molecules expressed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and their ability to secrete cytokines to set instructions for adaptive immune response and to generate tolerance or inflammation. In a novel integrative approach, the evaluation of the kinetic expression of the membrane and soluble B7 costimulatory molecules CD86, ICOS-L, PDL1, PDL2 was presented, the transcription factor Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 (IRF4), and the cytokines produced by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs) after challenging them with different concentrations of stimulation with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for various lengths of time. The evaluation showed that the stimuli concentration and time of exposure to LPS are critical factors in modulating the dynamic expression pattern of membrane and soluble B7 molecules and cytokines.
  • 998
  • 11 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Immune Microenvironment in AML
Acute myeloid leukemia is a life-threatening malignant disorder arising in a complex and dysregulated microenvironment that, in part, promotes the leukemogenesis. Treatment of relapsed and refractory AML, despite the current overall success rates in management of pediatric AML, remains a challenge with limited options considering the heavy but unsuccessful pretreatments in these patients.
  • 997
  • 01 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Antibodies induced by Glycosphingolipids
Glycosphingolipids containing very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) regulate several immune responses, such as cytokine production, immune signaling, and antibody induction. Here, we report that immunization with glycosphingolipids containing-VLCFAs can efficiently induce the production of anti-glycan antibodies by B cells.
  • 996
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Solid Tumors
The immune response, both innate and adaptive, is a key player in cancer development and progression. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are a subset of dendritic cells that play one of the central roles in the immune system. They are known mostly as the major IFN type I-producing cells upon stimulation of Toll-like receptors 7 and 9.
  • 996
  • 15 Nov 2021
Topic Review
CAR T-Cell Immunotherapy Treating T-ALL
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a form of T-cell malignancy, is a typically aggressive hematological malignancy with high rates of disease relapse and a poor prognosis. Guidelines do not recommend any specific treatments for these patients, and only allogeneic stem cell transplant, which is associated with potential risks and toxicities, is a curative therapy. Clinical trials showed that immunotherapies, including monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, and CAR T therapies, are successful in treating hematologic malignancies. CAR T cells, which specifically target the B-cell surface antigen CD19, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in the treatment of B-cell acute leukemia, and some progress has been made in the treatment of other hematologic malignancies. However, the development of CAR T-cell immunotherapy targeting T-cell malignancies appears more challenging due to the potential risks of fratricide, T-cell aplasia, immunosuppression, and product contamination.
  • 995
  • 21 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Immunology in the Acute Phase of COVID-19
COVID-19 is a viral disease that has caused millions of deaths around the world since 2020. Many strategies have been developed to manage patients in critical conditions; comprehension of the immune system is a key factor in viral clearance, tissue repairment, and adaptive immunity stimulus. Participation of immunity has been identified as a major factor, along with biomarkers, prediction of clinical outcomes, and antibody production after infection. Immune cells have been proposed not only as a hallmark of severity, but also as a predictor of clinical outcomes, while dynamics of inflammatory molecules can also induce worse consequences for acute patients.
  • 994
  • 29 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Vaccination under COVID-19 Pandemic
The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has raised significant economic, social, and psychological concerns. The rapid spread of the virus, coupled with the absence of vaccines and antiviral treatments for SARS-CoV-2, has galvanized a major global endeavor to develop effective vaccines. Within a matter of just a few months of the initial outbreak, research teams worldwide, adopting a range of different strategies, embarked on a quest to develop effective vaccine that could be effectively used to suppress this virulent pathogen. 
  • 993
  • 08 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Combination Antibody Therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections
Despite advances in antimicrobial therapy and even the advent of some effective vaccines, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) remains a significant cause of infectious disease, primarily due to antibiotic resistance. Although P. aeruginosa is commonly treatable with readily available therapeutics, these therapies are not always efficacious, particularly for certain classes of patients (e.g., cystic fibrosis (CF)) and for drug-resistant strains. Combinations of monoclonal antibodies against different targets and epitopes have demonstrated synergistic efficacy with each other as well as in combination with antimicrobial agents typically used to treat these infections. Such a strategy has reduced the ability of infectious agents to develop resistance. This entry highlights potential targets secreted by P. aeruginosa that future polyclonal antibodies may directed against in order to develop more efficacious treatments against these infections. 
  • 992
  • 06 Jan 2022
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