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Topic Review
Role of the Immune System in IBD-Associated Cancer
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). IBD-associated cancer follows a well-characterized sequence of intestinal epithelial changes, in which genetic mutations and molecular aberrations play a key role. IBD-associated cancer develops against a background of chronic inflammation and pro-inflammatory immune cells, and their products contribute to cancer development and progression. In recent years, the effect of the immunosuppressive microenvironment in cancer development and progression has gained more attention, mainly because of the unprecedented anti-tumor effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors in selected groups of patients. Even though IBD-associated cancer develops in the background of chronic inflammation which is associated with activation of endogenous anti-inflammatory or suppressive mechanisms, the potential role of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in these cancers is largely unknown.
  • 835
  • 13 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Umbilical Cord Blood
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent a heterogeneous population of myeloid cells that suppress immune responses in cancer, infection, and trauma. They mainly act by inhibiting T-cells, natural-killer cells, and dendritic cells, and also by inducing T-regulatory cells, and modulating macrophages. Although they are mostly associated with adverse prognosis of the underlying disease entity, they may display positive effects in specific situations, such as in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), where they attenuate graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). They also contribute to the feto-maternal tolerance, and in the fetus growth process, whereas several pregnancy complications have been associated with their defects. Human umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a source rich in MDSCs.
  • 834
  • 18 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Therapeutic Targeting of Tumor Collagen
The tumor stroma, which comprises stromal cells and non-cellular elements, is a critical component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The dynamic interactions between the tumor cells and the stroma may promote tumor progression and metastasis and dictate resistance to established cancer therapies. Therefore, novel antitumor approaches should combine anticancer and anti-stroma strategies targeting dysregulated tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM remodeling is a hallmark of solid tumors, leading to extensive biochemical and biomechanical changes, affecting cell signaling and tumor tissue three-dimensional architecture. Increased deposition of fibrillar collagen is the most distinctive alteration of the tumor ECM. Consequently, several anticancer therapeutic strategies have been developed to reduce excessive tumor collagen deposition.
  • 834
  • 17 Oct 2022
Topic Review
The Role of Immune System in Tumor Microenvironment
The immune system is a complicated set of cells, tissues, and organs. They work together to preserve organisms from dangerous substances, pathogens, and tissue damage and to stop the event of diseases. The immune system has been categorized into innate and adaptive immunity based on variations in the activation of immune responses to many threats. Immune cells are a part of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the communication between immune cells, other TME cells, and cancer cells plays a principal role in tumor development.
  • 834
  • 12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Blood-Borne Proteins in Alzheimer’s Disease
The blood–brain barrier (BBB) restricts entry of neurotoxic plasma components, blood cells, and pathogens into the brain, leading to proper neuronal functioning. BBB impairment leads to blood-borne protein infiltration such as prothrombin, thrombin, prothrombin kringle-2, fibrinogen, fibrin, and other harmful substances. Thus, microglial activation and release of pro-inflammatory mediators commence, resulting in neuronal damage and leading to impaired cognition via neuroinflammatory responses, which are important features observed in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients.
  • 834
  • 17 May 2023
Topic Review
Immunomodulation, Bioavailability and Safety of Bacteriocins
Bacteriocins can help in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Moreover, bacteriocins can be obtained in prokaryotic organisms, and contribute s to their widespread use. While the use of bacteriocins is currently limited to the food industry (for example, nisin is used as a preservative, E234), a large number of studies on their microbicidal properties suggest that their use in medicine may increase in the foreseeable future. However, for the successful use of bacteriocins in medicine, it is necessary to understand their effect on the immune system, especially in cases where immunity is weakened due to infectious processes, oncological, allergic, or autoimmune diseases. Studies on the immuno-modulatory activity of bacteriocins in animal models and human cells have revealed their ability to induce both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors involved in the implementation of innate immunity. The influence of bacteriocins on acquired immunity is revealed by an increase in the number of T-lymphocytes with a simultaneous decrease in B-lymphocyte levels, which makes them attractive substances for reducing inflammation. The widespread use of bacteriocins in the food industry, their low toxicity, and their broad and narrow specificity are reasons for researchers to pay attention to their immunomodulatory properties and explore their medical applications. Inflammation regulation by bacteriocins can be used in the treatment of various pathologies.
  • 834
  • 24 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Leukemia-Initiating Cells and Leukemic Niches in T-ALL
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive subtype of hematological malignancy characterized by its high heterogeneity and potentially life-threatening clinical features. It has shown the indispensable effects of leukemia-initiating cells (LICs) and leukemic niches on T-ALL initiation and progression. These milestones greatly facilitate precision medicine by interfering with the pathways that are associated with LICs and leukemic niches or by targeting themselves directly. Most of these novel agents, either alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy, have shown promising preclinical results, facilitating them to be further evaluated under clinical trials. 
  • 832
  • 23 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Gold Organs in Brucellosis
Brucella is an intracellular bacterium that causes abortion, reproduction failure in livestock and leads to a debilitating flu-like illness with serious chronic complications if untreated in humans. The “gold organs” for nesting Brucella, in which Brucella replicates in cells of the reticular endothelial system, include the spleen, lymph nodes, liver, bone marrow, epididymis, and placenta.
  • 831
  • 19 May 2023
Topic Review
The IFN–JAK–STAT AXIS in Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy
The JAK-STAT pathway is a rapid membrane-to-nucleus signaling module regulated by a wide array of extracellular signals including cytokines and growth factors, as well as cell-intrinsic mutations/alterations. Among all those upstream signals, interferons (IFNs), especially IFN-α/β (belonging to type I IFNs: IFN-Is) and IFN-γ (the only member in type II IFN), are the most widely studied. With their pleiotropic immunological activities in almost all known pathophysiological settings, we discussed the role of the IFN-JAK-STAT axis in radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapies (IOs), two major pillars of cancer care. 
  • 830
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
The Role of Mitochondria in Extracellular Trap Formation
Granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) are the most abundant circulating cells in the innate immune system. Circulating granulocytes, primarily neutrophils, can cross the endothelial barrier and activate various effector mechanisms to combat invasive pathogens. Eosinophils and basophils also play an important role in allergic reactions and antiparasitic defense. Granulocytes also regulate the immune response, wound healing, and tissue repair by releasing of various cytokines and lipid mediators. The effector mechanisms of granulocytes include the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), degranulation, phagocytosis, and the formation of DNA-containing extracellular traps.
  • 828
  • 09 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Mast Cells in Immune-Mediated Cholangitis
Mast cells (MCs) are a cell lineage produced in the bone marrow from myeloid precursors which express and retain c-kit expression throughout their developmental stages [1]. Cholestasis, which is impaired bile flow from the liver into the intestine, can be caused by cholangitis and/or bile duct obstruction. Cholangitis can arise from bacterial infections and cholelithiasis, however, immune-mediated cholangitis in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized by a strong immune response targeting the biliary epithelial cells (BECs). Persistent biliary inflammation further represents a risk for biliary neoplasia, cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) by driving chronic cellular stress in the BECs. Currently, immune-mediated cholangitis is considered a Th1-Th17-dominant disease, however, the presence of Th2-related mast cells (MCs) in tissue samples from PBC, PSC and CCA patients has been described, showing that these MCs are active players in these diseases.
  • 826
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Mechanisms in Fibrotic Evolution during Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmunity is a chronic process resulting in inflammation, tissue damage, and subsequent tissue remodelling and organ fibrosis. In contrast to acute inflammatory reactions, pathogenic fibrosis typically results from the chronic inflammatory reactions characterizing autoimmune diseases. Despite having obvious aetiological and clinical outcome distinctions, most chronic autoimmune fibrotic disorders have in common a persistent and sustained production of growth factors, proteolytic enzymes, angiogenic factors, and fibrogenic cytokines, which together stimulate the deposition of connective tissue elements or epithelial to mesenchymal transformation (EMT) that progressively remodels and destroys normal tissue architecture leading to organ failure. 
  • 826
  • 25 May 2023
Topic Review
Glioblastoma Immunotherapy
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain tumor with dismal survival and poor response to conventional therapies. Therefore, the development of immunotherapy for GBM treatment is necessary. 
  • 824
  • 24 Feb 2021
Topic Review
TAM Receptors in the Pathophysiology of Liver Disease
TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl and MerTK) are a family of tyrosine kinase receptors that are expressed in a variety of cell populations, including liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells These receptors are vital for immune homeostasis, as they regulate the innate immune response by suppressing inflammation via toll-like receptor inhibition and by promoting tissue resolution through efferocytosis. However, there is increasing evidence indicating that aberrant TAM receptor signaling may play a role in pathophysiological processes in the context of liver disease. This review will explore the roles of TAM receptors and their ligands in liver homeostasis as well as a variety of disease settings, including acute liver injury, steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction and hepatocellular carcinoma. A better understanding of our current knowledge of TAM receptors in liver disease may identify new opportunities for disease monitoring as well as novel therapeutic targets. Nonetheless, this review also aims to highlight areas where further research on TAM receptor biology in liver disease is required.
  • 823
  • 28 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Mechanisms of Immunosuppression in Sepsis
Severe infection can lead to sepsis. In sepsis, the host mounts an inappropriately large inflammatory response in an attempt to clear the invading pathogen. This sustained high level of inflammation may cause tissue injury and organ failure. Later in sepsis, a paradoxical immunosuppression occurs, where the host is unable to clear the preexisting infection and is susceptible to secondary infections. A major issue with sepsis treatment is that it is difficult for physicians to ascertain which stage of sepsis the patient is in. Sepsis treatment will depend on the patient’s immune status across the spectrum of the disease, and these immune statuses are nearly polar opposites in the early and late stages of sepsis.
  • 823
  • 01 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Degranulation of Mast Cells as Drug Development Target
Mast cells act as key effector cells of inflammatory responses through degranulation. Mast cell degranulation is induced by the activation of cell surface receptors, such as FcεRI, MRGPRX2/B2, and P2RX7. Each receptor, except FcεRI, varies in its expression pattern depending on the tissue, which contributes to their differing involvement in inflammatory responses depending on the site of occurrence. 
  • 823
  • 09 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Alarmins and MicroRNAs in Genesis of Respiratory Diseases
Alarmins support the pathogenesis of chronic respiratory diseases as asthma through ferroptosis and the axis composed of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and interleukin (IL)-33. The mechanisms supporting the development and progression of chronic respiratory diseases and the role of HMBG1 and IL-33 are described.
  • 821
  • 09 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Neutrophil Heterogeneity in Cancer
Neutrophils represent the most abundant cell type of leukocytes in the human blood and have been considered a vital player in the innate immune system and the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Neutrophils play an active role in the immune response during cancer development. They could exhibit both pro-oncogenic and anti-tumor activities under the influence of various mediators in the tumor microenvironment. Neutrophils can be divided into several subpopulations, thus contradicting the traditional concept of neutrophils as a homogeneous population with a specific function in the innate immunity and opening new horizons for cancer therapy. 
  • 819
  • 28 Jan 2023
Topic Review
TMDC Nanozymes: Application Perspective
Applications of TMDC NZs in different fields—starting from biosensing to different treatment fields like antibacterial, anti-inflammation activity and cancer therapy—are discussed in more details. 
  • 818
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Heme Interactions
Heme (Fe2+-protoporphyrin IX) is a pigment of life, and as a prosthetic group in several hemoproteins, it contributes to diverse critical cellular processes. Direct interactions of extracellular heme with alternative pathway complement components (APCCs) may be implicated molecularly in diverse conditions at sites of abnormal cell damage and vascular injury. 
  • 816
  • 29 Jun 2023
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