Encyclopedia
Scholarly Community
Encyclopedia
Entry
Video
Image
Journal
Book
News
About
Log in/Sign up
Submit
Entry
Video
Image
Subject:
All Disciplines
Arts & Humanities
Biology & Life Sciences
Business & Economics
Chemistry & Materials Science
Computer Science & Mathematics
Engineering
Environmental & Earth Sciences
Medicine & Pharmacology
Physical Sciences
Public Health & Healthcare
Social Sciences
Sort:
Hottest
Latest
Alphabetical (A-Z)
Alphabetical (Z-A)
Type:
All
Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Natural Killer Cell
NK cells are a group of innate immune cells that show spontaneous cytolytic activity against cells under stress, such as virus-infected cells and tumor cells. They belong to the innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) family, a recently discovered group of lymphocytes, and represent about 5–15% of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Except for directly killing target cell through the release of perforin- and granzyme-containing cytotoxic granules, NK cells can also secrete interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and a panel of various immunoregulatory cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, IL-13) and chemokines (CCL-3, CCL-4, CCL-5, CXCL), by which they act as modulators of the inflammatory response. NK cells have recently been recognized for their ability to kill malignant or infected cells and maintain immune homeostasis by killing certain healthy immune cells [6]. Likewise, there is accumulating evidence that NK cells possess memory ability. This finding is in contrast to the classical definition of NK cells, by which they belong only in innate immunity cells due to their lack of RAG (Recombination-activating gene) recombinase-dependent clonal antigen receptors. New data suggest that two types of immune memory patterns can be found in NK cells. The first pattern, similarly to B and T cells, is achieved by exerting immunological memory after an encounter with various antigens and the consequent creation of generations of antigen-specific memory NK cells. Secondly, NK cells can remember inflammatory cytokines milieus that imprint long-lasting non-antigen-specific NK cell effector function. These findings of NK cells’ memory could open new horizons in their manipulation and provide us with new therapeutic targets, for example in ischemic heart disease, world's most notorious killer.
659
29 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Glycosylated Molluscan Hemocyanins
The molluscan hemocyanins have complex carbohydrate structures with predominant N-linked glycans. Determination of glycans and glycopeptides was performed with the most common used methods for the analysis of biomolecules, including peptides and proteins like MALDI-TOF-TOF (time of flight), LC/ESI-MS, LC-Q-trap-MS/MS nano-ESI-MS and others. A novel acidic glycan structures with specific glycosylation positions were observed in Rapana venosa, Helix lucorum, Haliotis tuberculata, e.g. hemocyanins that enable a deeper insight into the glycosylation process.
555
29 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Hepatocellular Carcinomas
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death, with a high incidence and mortality rate in Asia.
306
25 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Auraptene enhances Blood brain barrier
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selectively permeable barrier that divides the central nervous system (CNS) from the peripheral circulation, preventing infectious substances and immune cells from entering the CNS.
880
24 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Gliomas
Gliomas are a group of primary tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) originating from glial cells. It was estimated that gliomas account for nearly a quarter of all primary CNS tumors. The management of malignant gliomas poses several challenges, in part due to the heterogeneous and resistant nature of neoplasm, as well as the obstacles faced when administering high-dose radiation and chemotherapy in tissue as vulnerable as that of the CNS. These difficulties are due to the tumor’s aggressiveness and the adverse effects of radio/chemotherapy on the brain. Stem cell therapy is an exciting area of research being explored for several medical issues.
551
24 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Macrophage/Monocyte-Endothelial Cell Crosstalk in Liver
Inflammation is a hallmark of liver pathology, where macrophages and endothelial cells are pivotal players in promoting and sustaining disease progression. Understanding the drivers and mediators of these interactions will provide valuable information on what may contribute to liver resilience against disease. In this entry, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of macrophages and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) in homeostasis and liver pathology, with a particular focus on Trem-2 as a key mediator of these interactions.
508
24 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Drosophila Melanogaster Research
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that is currently incurable. As a consequence of an incomplete understanding of the etiology of the disease, therapeutic strategies mainly focus on symptomatic treatment. Even though the majority of PD cases remain idiopathic (~90%), several genes have been identified to be causative for PD, facilitating the generation of animal models that are a good alternative to study disease pathways and to increase our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of PD. Drosophila melanogaster has proven to be an excellent model in these studies.
505
23 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Caffeine and Sports
Several performance-enhancing or ergogenic drugs have been linked to both significant adverse cardiovascular effects and increased cardiovascular risk. Even with increased scrutiny on the governance of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in professional sport and heightened awareness of the associated cardiovascular risk, there are some who are prepared to risk their use to gain competitive advantage. Caffeine is the most commonly consumed drug in the world and its ergogenic properties have been reported for decades. Thus, the removal of caffeine from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of banned substances, in 2004, has naturally led to an exponential rise in its use amongst athletes.
693
23 Mar 2021
Topic Review
PBK/TOPK: A Therapeutic Target
T-lymphokine-activated killer cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK), also known as PDZ-binding kinase (PBK), was a member of the MEK3/6-related MAPKK family. As a mitotic serine/threonine protein kinase, accumulating evidence supported its role in mitosis and cell-cycle progression of mitotically active cells, especially proliferative malignant cells. PBK/TOPK was confirmed to be associated with the development, progression, and metastasis of malignancies, which made it a potential therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Further, it was also demonstrated to play crucial roles in ischemic injury and involve in protection against ischemia. This protective effect of PBK/TOPK in the context of ischemia challeged the development of PBK/TOPK inhibitors in anti-tumor therapy, and more research was required to further explore its role and underlying mechanisms to translate its application to clinical studies.
637
19 Mar 2021
Topic Review
HDL Cholesterol Efflux Capacity
Over the years, the relationship between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and atherosclerosis, initially highlighted by the Framingham study, has been revealed to be extremely complex, due to the multiple HDL functions involved in atheroprotection. Among them, HDL cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), the ability of HDL to promote cell cholesterol efflux from cells, has emerged as a better predictor of cardiovascular (CV) risk compared to merely plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. HDL CEC is impaired in many genetic and pathological conditions associated to high CV risk such as dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, etc.
568
19 Mar 2021
Page
of
161
Featured Entry Collections
>>
Featured Books
>>
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Chief Editor:
Michael McAleer
Encyclopedia of COVID-19
Chief Editor:
Stephen Bustin
Encyclopedia of Fungi
Chief Editor:
Luis V. Lopez-Llorca
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Chief Editor:
Sandro Serpa
Entry
Video
Image
Journal
Book
News
About
Log in/Sign up
New Entry
New Video
New Images
About
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
Advisory Board
Contact
Partner
ScholarVision Creations
Feedback
Top
Feedback
×
Help Center
Browse our user manual, common Q&A, author guidelines, etc.
Rate your experience
Let us know your experience and what we could improve.
Report an error
Is something wrong? Please let us know!
Other feedback
Other feedback you would like to report.
×
Did you find what you were looking for?
Love
Like
Neutral
Dislike
Hate
0
/500
Email
Do you agree to share your valuable feedback publicly on
Encyclopedia
’s homepage?
Yes, I agree. Encyclopedia can post it.
No, I do not agree. I would not like to post my testimonial.
Webpage
Upload a screenshot
(Max file size 2MB)
Submit
Back
Close
×