Neuronal guidance signaling in neurodegenerative diseases: Key regulators that function at neuron-glia and neuroimmune interfaces

The nervous system processes a vast amount of information, performing computations that underlie perception, cognition, and behavior. During development, neuronal guidance genes, which encode extracellular cues, their receptors, and downstream signal transducers, organize neural wiring to generate the complex architecture of the nervous system. It is now evident that many of these neuroguidance cues and their receptors are active during development and are also expressed in the adult nervous system. This suggests that neuronal guidance pathways are critical not only for neural wiring but also for ongoing function and maintenance of the mature nervous system. Supporting this view, these pathways continue to regulate synaptic connectivity, plasticity, and remodeling, and overall brain homeostasis throughout adulthood. Genetic and transcriptomic analyses have further revealed many neuronal guidance genes to be associated with a wide range of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Although the precise mechanisms by which aberrant neuronal guidance signaling drives the pathogenesis of these diseases remain to be clarified, emerging evidence points to several common themes, including dysfunction in neurons, microglia, astrocytes, and endothelial cells, along with dysregulation of neuron-microglia-astrocyte, neuroimmune, and neurovascular interactions. In this review, we explore recent advances in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which aberrant neuronal guidance signaling contributes to disease pathogenesis through altered cell-cell interactions. For instance, recent studies have unveiled two distinct semaphorin-plexin signaling pathways that affect microglial activation and neuroinflammation. We discuss the challenges ahead, along with the therapeutic potentials of targeting neuronal guidance pathways for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Particular focus is placed on how neuronal guidance mechanisms control neuron-glia and neuroimmune interactions and modulate microglial function under physiological and pathological conditions. Specifically, we examine the crosstalk between neuronal guidance signaling and TREM2, a master regulator of microglial function, in the context of pathogenic protein aggregates. It is well-established that age is a major risk factor for neurodegeneration. Future research should address how aging and neuronal guidance signaling interact to influence an individual's susceptibility to various late-onset neurological diseases and how the progression of these diseases could be therapeutically blocked by targeting neuronal guidance pathways.

Insights into the transcriptomic heterogeneity of brain endothelial cells in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease

Drug development for Alzheimer's disease is extremely challenging, as demonstrated by the repeated failures of amyloid-β-targeted therapeutics and the controversies surrounding the amyloid-β cascade hypothesis. More recently, advances in the development of Lecanemab, an anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody, have shown positive results in reducing brain A burden and slowing cognitive decline in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease in the Phase III clinical trial (Clarity Alzheimer's disease). Despite these promising results, side effects such as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) may limit its usage. ARIA can manifest as ARIA-E (cerebral edema or effusions) and ARIA-H (microhemorrhages or superficial siderosis) and is thought to be caused by increased vascular permeability due to inflammatory responses, leading to leakages of blood products and protein-rich fluid into brain parenchyma. Endothelial dysfunction is an early pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease, and the blood-brain barrier becomes increasingly leaky as the disease progresses. In addition, APOE4, the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, is associated with higher vascular amyloid burden, increased ARIA incidence, and accelerated blood-brain barrier disruptions. These interconnected vascular abnormalities highlight the importance of vascular contributions to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Here, we will closely examine recent research evaluating the heterogeneity of brain endothelial cells in the microvasculature of different brain regions and their relationships with Alzheimer's disease progression.

A single-cell landscape of the regenerating spinal cord of zebrafish

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202602000-00046/figure1/v/2025-05-05T160104Z/r/image-tiff Unlike mammals, zebrafish possess a remarkable ability to regenerate their spinal cord after injury, making them an ideal vertebrate model for studying regeneration. While previous research has identified key cell types involved in this process, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile distinct cell populations at different stages of spinal cord injury in zebrafish. Our analysis revealed that multiple subpopulations of neurons showed persistent activation of genes associated with axonal regeneration post injury, while molecular signals promoting growth cone collapse were inhibited. Radial glial cells exhibited significant proliferation and differentiation potential post injury, indicating their intrinsic roles in promoting neurogenesis and axonal regeneration, respectively. Additionally, we found that inflammatory factors rapidly decreased in the early stages following spinal cord injury, creating a microenvironment permissive for tissue repair and regeneration. Furthermore, oligodendrocytes lost maturity markers while exhibiting increased proliferation following injury. These findings demonstrated that the rapid and orderly regulation of inflammation, as well as the efficient proliferation and redifferentiation of new neurons and glial cells, enabled zebrafish to reconstruct the spinal cord. This research provides new insights into the cellular transitions and molecular programs that drive spinal cord regeneration, offering promising avenues for future research and therapeutic strategies.

Exosomes in neurodegenerative diseases: Therapeutic potential and modification methods

In recent years, exosomes have garnered extensive attention as therapeutic agents and early diagnostic markers in neurodegenerative disease research. Exosomes are small and can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing them to target deep brain lesions. Recent studies have demonstrated that exosomes derived from different cell types may exert therapeutic effects by regulating the expression of various inflammatory cytokines, mRNAs, and disease-related proteins, thereby halting the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and exhibiting beneficial effects. However, exosomes are composed of lipid bilayer membranes and lack the ability to recognize specific target cells. This limitation can lead to side effects and toxicity when they interact with non-specific cells. Growing evidence suggests that surface-modified exosomes have enhanced targeting capabilities and can be used as targeted drug-delivery vehicles that show promising results in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we provide an up-to-date overview of existing research aimed at devising approaches to modify exosomes and elucidating their therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases. Our findings indicate that exosomes can efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier to facilitate drug delivery and can also serve as early diagnostic markers for neurodegenerative diseases. We introduce the strategies being used to enhance exosome targeting, including genetic engineering, chemical modifications (both covalent, such as click chemistry and metabolic engineering, and non-covalent, such as polyvalent electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, ligand-receptor binding, aptamer-based modifications, and the incorporation of CP05-anchored peptides), and nanomaterial modifications. Research into these strategies has confirmed that exosomes have significant therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases. However, several challenges remain in the clinical application of exosomes. Improvements are needed in preparation, characterization, and optimization methods, as well as in reducing the adverse reactions associated with their use. Additionally, the range of applications and the safety of exosomes require further research and evaluation.

The canine blood-brain barrier in health and disease: focus on brain protection

This review examines the role of the canine blood-brain barrier (BBB) in health and disease, focusing on the impact of the multidrug resistance (MDR) transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the ABCB1/MDR1 gene. The BBB is critical in maintaining central nervous system homeostasis and brain protection against xenobiotics and environmental drugs that may be circulating in the blood stream. We revise key anatomical, histological and functional aspects of the canine BBB and examine the role of the ABCB1/MDR1 gene mutation in specific dog breeds that exhibit reduced P-gp activity and disrupted drug brain pharmacokinetics. The review also covers factors that may disrupt the canine BBB, including the actions of aging, canine cognitive dysfunction, epilepsy, inflammation, infection, traumatic brain injury, among others. We highlight the critical importance of this barrier in maintaining central nervous system homeostasis and protecting against xenobiotics and conclude that a number of neurological-related diseases may increase vulnerability of the BBB in the canine species and discuss its profound impacts on canine health.

Anti-fibrosis effect of astragaloside IV in animal models of cardiovascular diseases and its mechanisms: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Myocardial fibrosis is a common manifestation of end-stage cardiovascular disease, but there is a lack of means to reverse fibrosis. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), the major active component of Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge Fabaceae, possesses diverse biological activities that have beneficial effects against cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to summarize the anti-fibrosis effect of AS-IV in animal models (rats or mice only) and its underlying mechanisms, and provide potential directions for the clinical use of AS-IV.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang database, and SinoMed were searched from inception to 31 December 2024. The following characteristics of the included studies were extracted and summarized: animal model, route of administration, dose/concentration, measurement indicators, and potential mechanisms. The quality of the included studies was assessed used a 10-item scale from SYRCLE.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

AS-IV represents a promising multi-target candidate for myocardial fibrosis treatment in the 24 eligible studies included in the analysis. This systematic review is the first to comprehensively evaluate the anti-fibrosis mechanisms of AS-IV across heterogeneous cardiovascular disease animal models, including myocardial infarction, hypertension, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and myocarditis. The underlying mechanisms of the anti-fibrosis effects of AS-IV may include collagen metabolism, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation and, pyroptosis, antioxidants, improving mitochondrial function, regulating senescence, etc. Current evidence remains preclinical, with critical gaps in toxicological profiles, human safety thresholds, and clinical adverse reaction data. Future research must integrate robust toxicological evaluations, optimized combination therapies, and adaptive clinical trials to validate translational potential.

With great power, comes great responsibility: the importance of broadly measuring Fc-mediated effector function early in the antibody development process

The field of antibody therapeutics is rapidly growing, with over 210 antibodies currently approved or in regulatory review and ~ 1,250 antibodies in clinical development. Antibodies are highly versatile molecules that, with strategic design of their antigen-binding domain (Fab) and the domain responsible for mediating effector functions (Fc), can be used in a wide range of therapeutic indications. Building on many years of progress, the biopharmaceutical industry is now advancing innovative research and development by exploring new targets and new formats and using antibody engineering to fine-tune functions tailored to specific disease requirements. In addition to considering the target and the disease context, however, the unique features of each therapeutic antibody trigger a diverse set of Fc-mediated effector functions. To avoid unexpected results on safety and efficacy outcomes during the later stages of the development process, it is crucial to measure the impact of antibody design on Fc-mediated effector function early in the antibody development process. Given the breadth of effector functions antibodies can deploy and the close interplay between the antibody Fab and Fc functional domains, it is important to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Fc-mediated functions using an array of antigen-specific biophysical and cell-mediated functional assays. Here, we review antibody and Fc receptor properties that influence Fc effector functions and discuss their implications on development of safe and efficacious antibody therapeutics.

Restriction of mitochondrial oxidation of glutamine or fatty acids enhances intracellular growth of Mycobacterium abscessus in macrophages

Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab), a nontuberculous mycobacterium, is increasing in prevalence worldwide and causes treatment-refractory pulmonary diseases. However, how Mab rewires macrophage energy metabolism to facilitate its survival is poorly understood. We compared the metabolic profiles of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) infected with smooth (S)- and rough (R)-type Mab using extracellular flux technology. Mab infection shifted BMDMs towards a more energetic phenotype, marked by increased oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis, with a significantly greater enhancement in OXPHOS. This metabolic adaptation was characterized by enhanced ATP production rates, particularly in cells infected with S-type Mab, highlighting OXPHOS as a key energy source. Notably, Mab infection also modulated mitochondrial substrate preferences, increasing fatty acid oxidation capabilities while revealing significant changes in glutamine dependency and flexibility. R-type Mab infections exhibited a marked decrease in glutamine reliance but enhanced metabolic flexibility and capacity. Furthermore, targeting metabolic pathways related to glutamine and fatty acid oxidation exacerbated Mab growth within macrophages, suggesting these pathways play a protective role against infection. These insights advance our understanding of Mab's impact on host cell metabolism and propose a novel avenue for therapeutic intervention. By manipulating host mitochondrial metabolism, we identify a potential host-directed therapeutic strategy against Mab, offering a promising alternative to conventional treatments beleaguered by drug resistance. This study underscores the importance of exploring metabolic interventions to combat Mab infection, paving the way for innovative approaches in the fight against this formidable pathogen.

TGF-β: elusive target in diabetic kidney disease

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a cytokine with near omnipresence, is an integral part of many vital cellular processes across the human body. The family includes three isoforms: Transforming growth factor-beta 1, 2, and 3. These cytokines play a significant role in the fibrosis cascade. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a major complication of diabetes, is increasing in prevalence daily, and the classical diagnosis of diabetes is based on the presence of albuminuria. The occurrence of nonalbuminuric DKD has provided new insight into the pathogenesis of this disease. The emphasis on multifactorial pathways involved in developing DKD has highlighted some markers associated with tissue fibrosis. In diabetic nephropathy, TGF-β is significantly involved in its pathology. Its presence in serum and urine means that it could be a diagnostic tool while its regulation provides potential therapeutic targets. Completely blocking TGF-β signaling could reach untargeted regions and cause unanticipated effects. This paper reviews the basic details of TGF-β as a cytokine, its role in DKD, and updates on research carried out to validate its candidacy.

Molecular signaling pathways in osteoarthritis and biomaterials for cartilage regeneration: a review

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, and subchondral bone alterations, leading to chronic pain and joint dysfunction. Conventional treatments provide symptomatic relief but fail to halt disease progression. Recent advancements in biomaterials, molecular signaling modulation, and gene-editing technologies offer promising therapeutic strategies. This review explores key molecular pathways implicated in osteoarthritis, including fibroblast growth factor, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt, and bone morphogenetic protein signaling, highlighting their roles in chondrocyte survival, extracellular matrix remodeling, and inflammation. Biomaterial-based interventions such as hydrogels, nanoparticles, and chitosan-based scaffolds have demonstrated potential in enhancing cartilage regeneration and targeted drug delivery. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing holds promise in modifying osteoarthritis-related genes to restore cartilage integrity. The integration of regenerative biomaterials with precision medicine and molecular therapies represents a novel approach for mitigating osteoarthritis progression. Future research should focus on optimizing biomaterial properties, refining gene-editing efficiency, and developing personalized therapeutic strategies. The convergence of bioengineering and molecular science offers new hope for improving joint function and patient quality of life in osteoarthritis management.

Protection acquired upon intraperitoneal group a Streptococcus immunization is independent of concurrent adaptive immune responses but relies on macrophages and IFN-γ

Group A Streptococcus (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) is an important bacterial pathogen causing over 700 million superficial infections and around 500.000 deaths due to invasive disease or severe post-infection sequelae yearly. In spite of this major impact on society, there is currently no vaccine available against this bacterium. GAS strains can be separated into >250 distinct emm (M)-types, and protective immunity against GAS is believed to in part be dependent on type-specific antibodies. Here, we analyse the nature of protective immunity generated against GAS in a model of intraperitoneal immunization in mice. We demonstrate that multiple immunizations are required for the ability to survive a subsequent lethal challenge, and although significant levels of GAS-specific antibodies are produced, these are redundant for protection. Instead, our data show that the immunization-dependent protection in this model is induced in the absence of B and T cells and is accompanied by the induction of an altered acute cytokine profile upon subsequent infection, noticeable e.g. by the absence of classical pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased IFN-γ production. Further, the ability of immunized mice to survive a lethal infection is dependent on macrophages and the macrophage-activating cytokine IFN-γ. To our knowledge these findings are the first to suggest that GAS may have the ability to induce forms of trained innate immunity. Taken together, the current study proposes a novel role for the innate immune system in response to GAS infections that potentially could be leveraged for future development of effective vaccines.

Porcine cGAS-STING signalling induced apoptosis negatively regulates STING downstream IFN response and autophagy via different mechanisms

The innate immune cGAS-STING signalling pathway recognizes double-stranded DNA and induces the interferon (IFN) response, autophagy and apoptosis, exerting a broad antiviral effect. However, the mechanisms and interrelationship between STING induced downstream IFN, autophagy, and apoptosis in livestock have not been fully elucidated. Our previous study defined porcine STING (pSTING) induced IFN, autophagy and apoptosis, and showed that IFN does not affect autophagy and apoptosis, whereas autophagy inhibits both IFN and apoptosis, likely by promoting pSTING degradation. In this study, we further explored the underlying mechanism of pSTING induced apoptosis and the regulation of IFN and autophagy by apoptosis. First, pSTING induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial damage to activate caspases 9, 3, and 7, which drive intrinsic apoptosis. Second, pSTING triggered apoptosis inhibits the IFN response by activating caspase 7, which cleaves pIRF3 at the species specific D197/D198 site. Third, pSTING activated apoptotic caspases 9, 3, and 7 reduce the expression of ATG proteins, and cleave the ATG5-ATG12L1 complex, effectively inhibiting autophagy. Fourth, knockout of pSTING activated apoptosis heightens the IFN response and autophagy, while suppressing the replication of Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1), Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) and Pseudorabies Virus (PRV). This study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of innate immunity in pigs.

PROPERMAB: an integrative framework for in silico prediction of antibody developability using machine learning

Selection of lead therapeutic molecules is often driven predominantly by pharmacological efficacy and safety. Candidate developability, such as biophysical properties that affect the formulation of the molecule into a product, is usually evaluated only toward the end of the drug development pipeline. The ability to evaluate developability properties early in the process of antibody therapeutic development could accelerate the timeline from discovery to clinic and save considerable resources. In silico predictive approaches, such as machine learning models, which map molecular features to predictions of developability properties could offer a cost-effective and high-throughput alternative to experiments for antibody developability assessment. We developed a computational framework, PROPERMAB (PROPERties of Monoclonal AntiBodies), for large-scale and efficient in silico prediction of developability properties for monoclonal antibodies, using custom molecular features and machine learning modeling. We demonstrate the power of PROPERMAB by using it to develop models to predict antibody hydrophobic interaction chromatography retention time and high-concentration viscosity. We further show that structure-derived features can be rapidly and accurately predicted directly from sequences by pre-training simple models for molecular features, thus providing the ability to scale these approaches to repertoire-scale sequence datasets.

Revealing the role of natural killer cells in ankylosing spondylitis: identifying diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets

BACKGROUND

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the axial joints. Immune cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of AS. This study integrated bioinformatics methods with experimental validation to explore the role of natural killer (NK) cells in AS.

METHODS

Two microarray datasets, GSE25101 and GSE73754, were selected, and the scRNA-seq data were obtained from GSE194315 and Liu's research. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and functional enrichment analysis were performed respectively. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to identify key modules of co-expressed genes and genes involved in NK cell function. The diagnostic value of the identified key genes was evaluated using ROC curves, logistic regression analysis, and a nomogram. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to quantified the expression of genes. Statistical analysis was conducted using the R software package, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Pathways enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of NK cell-mediated immune pathways and regulation of the innate immune response, indicating the crucial role of innate immunity, especially NK cells, in AS pathogenesis. The construction of a co-expression network revealed that the MElightyellow module was most relevant to the NK cell-mediated immune pathway. IL2RB, CD247, PLEKHF1, EOMES, S1PR5, FGFBP2 from the MElightyellow module were identified as key genes involved in NK cell-mediated immune response and served as potential diagnostic biomarkers for AS, with moderate to high diagnostic values based on AUC values. Further analysis using scRNA-seq profiling revealed the higher expression level of IL2RB, CD247, PLEKHF1, S1PR5, FGFBP2 in NK cells compared to that in other cell types. CD247, PLEKHF1, EOMES, S1PR5, and FGFBP2 were reduced expressed in AS patients as compare to control group verified by scRNA-seq data, CD247, EOMES, FGFBP2, IL2RB and S1PR5 were reduced expressed verified by RT-PCR, and PLEKHF1, S1PR5, and FGFBP2 was upregulated after TNF-α blocker therapy.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed the potential role of NK cells and identified IL2RB, CD247, PLEKHF1, EOMES, S1PR5, and FGFBP2 as key genes associated with NK cells in the pathogenesis of AS.

Nuclear envelope components in vascular mechanotransduction: emerging roles in vascular health and disease

The vascular network, uniquely sensitive to mechanical changes, translates biophysical forces into biochemical signals for vessel function. This process relies on the cell's architectural integrity, enabling uniform responses to physical stimuli. Recently, the nuclear envelope (NE) has emerged as a key regulator of vascular cell function. Studies implicate nucleoskeletal elements (e.g. nuclear lamina) and the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex in force transmission, emphasizing nucleo-cytoskeletal communication in mechanotransduction. The nuclear pore complex (NPC) and its component proteins (i.e. nucleoporins) also play roles in cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression. We herein summarize evidence on the roles of nuclear lamina proteins, LINC complex members, and nucleoporins in endothelial and vascular cell mechanotransduction. Numerous studies attribute NE components in cytoskeletal-related cellular behaviors to insinuate dysregulation of nucleocytoskeletal feedback and nucleocytoplasmic transport as a mechanism of endothelial and vascular dysfunction, and hence implications for aging and vascular pathophysiology.

Biofilm-associated proteins: from the gut biofilms to neurodegeneration

Human microbiota form a biofilm with substantial consequences for health and disease. Numerous studies have indicated that microbial communities produce functional amyloids as part of their biofilm extracellular scaffolds. The overlooked interplay between bacterial amyloids and the host may have detrimental consequences for the host, including neurodegeneration. This work gives an overview of the biofilm-associated amyloids expressed by the gut microbiota and their potential role in neurodegeneration. It discusses the biofilm-associated proteins (BAPs) of the gut microbiota, maps the amyloidogenic domains of these proteins, and analyzes the presence of bap genes within accessory genomes linked with transposable elements. Furthermore, the evidence supporting the existence of amyloids in the gut are presented. Finally, it explores the potential interactions between BAPs and α-synuclein, extending the literature on amyloid cross-kingdom interactions. Based on these findings, this study propose that BAP amyloids act as transmissible catalysts, facilitating the misfolding, accumulation, and spread of α-synuclein aggregates. This review contributes to the understanding of complex interactions among the microbiota, transmissible elements, and host, which is crucial for developing novel therapeutic approaches to combat microbiota-related diseases and improve overall health outcomes.

The search for a TNBC vaccine: the guardian vaccine

Nearly 20 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year with breast cancer being the most common among women. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), defined by its no/low expression of ER and PR and lack of amplification of HER2, makes up 15-20% of all breast cancer cases. While patients overall have a higher response to chemotherapy, this subgroup is associated with the lowest survival rate indicating significant clinical and molecular heterogeneity demanding alternate treatment options. Therefore, new therapies have been explored, with a large focus on utilizing the immune system. A whole host of immunotherapies have been studied including immune checkpoint inhibitors, now standard of care for eligible patients, and possibly the most exciting and promising is that of a TNBC vaccine. While currently there are no approved TNBC vaccines, this review highlights many promising studies and points to an antigen, p53, which we believe is highly relevant for TNBC.

Crosstalk between macrophages and adjacent cells in AKI to CKD transition

Acute kidney injury (AKI), triggered by ischemia, sepsis, toxicity, or obstruction, is marked by a rapid impairment of renal function and could lead to the initiation and advancement of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The concept of AKI to CKD transition has gained much interest. Despite a series of studies highlighting the diverse roles of renal macrophages in the immune response following AKI, the intricate mechanisms of macrophage-driven cell-cell communication in AKI to CKD transition remains incompletely understood. In this review, we introduce the dynamic phenotype change of macrophages under the different stages of kidney injury. Importantly, we present novel perspectives on the extensive interaction of renal macrophages with adjacent cells, including tubular epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and other immune cells via soluble factors, extracellular vesicles, and direct contact, to facilitate the transition from AKI to CKD. Additionally, we summarize the potential therapeutic strategies based on the adverse macrophage-neighboring cell crosstalk.

Immunotoxicological disruption of pregnancy as a new research area in immunotoxicology

Immune mechanisms associated with normal pregnancy have only been being substantively investigated since the early 1990s. In parallel with the progress in that area of research, in the past few years it has become increasingly clear that several xenobiotics - including a variety of environmental chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and metals are considered to be both generally immunotoxic and specifically able to affect pregnancy. Among these, there is intense interest regarding potential effects from synthetic cannabinoids, immune checkpoint inhibitors, nanometals, and microplastics, with immunotoxic events that impact on pregnancy being shown for these agents. For instance, phytocannabinoids have been shown to interfere with reproduction in mice through effects on the endocannabinoid system. Because of effects of immune enhancement, as a requirement for regulatory submission, co-inhibitory immune checkpoint molecule inhibitors were also evaluated for effects on pregnancy. Similarly, because of increasing use and concerns about incidental environmental exposures, nanometals, and micro-plastics have also been examined for effects. Several studies in humans or mice showed that exposures to each during gestation increased the risk/rate of fetal loss, in part, by disruption of the placenta-associated immune system. Furthermore, signaling by endogenous danger molecules and/or impairment of physiological intercellular mediators may have contributed to the pregnancy loss. As there are clearly a variety of immunotoxic effects that can impact on a pregnancy, this review attempts to briefly introduce immune mechanisms associated with pregnancy as well as reasons for its loss, and proposes that 'immunotoxicological disruption of pregnancy' be accepted as a new research area in immunotoxicology.

Functional abnormalities of the glymphatic system in cognitive disorders

Various pathological mechanisms represent distinct therapeutic targets for cognitive disorders, but a balance between clearance and production is essential for maintaining the stability of the brain's internal environment. Thus, the glymphatic system may represent a common pathway by which to address cognitive disorders. Using the established model of the glymphatic system as our foundation, this review disentangles and analyzes the components of its clearance mechanism, including the initial inflow of cerebrospinal fluid, the mixing of cerebrospinal fluid with interstitial fluid, and the outflow of the mixed fluid and the clearance. Each section summarizes evidence from experimental animal models and human studies, highlighting the normal physiological properties of key structures alongside their pathological manifestations in cognitive disorders. The same pathologic manifestations of different cognitive disorders appearing in the glymphatic system and the same upstream influences are main points of interest of this review. We conclude this article by discussing new findings and outlining the limitations identified in current research progress.

Creatine-mediated ferroptosis inhibition is involved in the intestinal radioprotection of daytime-restricted feeding

Ionizing radiation-induced intestinal injury (IRIII) is a catastrophic disease lack of sufficient medical countermeasures currently. Regulation of the gut microbiota through dietary adjustments is a potential strategy to mitigate IRIII. Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is an emerging behavioral nutrition intervention with pleiotropic health benefits. Whether this dietary pattern influences the pathogenesis of IRIII remains vague. We evaluated the impact of TRF on intestinal radiosensitivity in this study and discovered that only daytime TRF (DTRF), not nighttime TRF, could ameliorate intestinal damage in mice that received a high dose of IR. Faecal metagenomic and metabolomic studies revealed that the intestinal creatine level was increased by approximate 9 times by DTRF, to which the Bifidobacterium pseudolongum enrichment contribute. Further investigations showed that creatine could activate the energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase in irradiated enterocytes and induce phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, resulting in reduced production of polyunsaturated fatty acids and reduced ferroptosis after IR. The administration of creatine mitigated IRIII and reduced bacteremia and proinflammatory responses. Blockade of creatine import compromised the ferroptosis inhibition and mitigation of DTRF on IRIII. Our study demonstrates a radioprotective dietary mode that can reshape the gut microbiota and increase intestinal creatine, which can suppress IR-induced ferroptosis, thereby providing effective countermeasures for IRIII prevention.

Construction and validation of renal cell carcinoma tumor cell differentiation-related prognostic classification (RCC-TCDC): an integrated bioinformatic analysis and clinical study

BACKGROUND

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous malignancy with diverse gene expression patterns, molecular landscapes, and differentiation characteristics of tumor cells. It is imperative to develop molecular RCC classification based on tumor cell differentiation for precise risk stratification and personalized therapy.

METHODS

We obtained scRNA-seq profiles from GSE159115 and bulk RNA-seq profiles from TCGA-KIRC cohort. We then performed scRNA-seq cluster analysis, monocle2 pseudotime analysis, and prognostic analysis to obtain tumor cell differentiation-related prognostic genes (TCDGs). Subsequently, we conducted consensus clustering to construct the RCC tumor cell differentiation-related prognostic classification (RCC-TCDC) and implemented prognostic and multi-omics analyses. Moreover, we utilized Lasso regression to help develop a multivariable prognostic model. In addition, we performed correlation analysis and Cmap algorithm for regulatory network establishment and candidate inhibitor prediction. We eventually included 370 kidney neoplasm patients in Xinhua cohort to undergo immunohistochemical staining and scoring for classification and comprehensive statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, and multivariable Cox regression analysis .

RESULTS

32 TCDGs were identifiedand RCC-TCDC was constructed to classify TCGA-KIRC patients into RCC-low differentiation (RCC-LD) (S100A11+ SH3BGRL3+, high risk), RCC-moderate differentiation (TSPAN7+, medium risk), and RCC-high differentiation (RCC-HD) (AQP1+ NPR3+, low risk). Notably, RCC-LD was validated as anindependent risk factor for both OS (p = 0.015, HR = 14.0, 95%CI = 1.67-117.8) and PFS (p = 0.010, HR = 4.0, 95%CI = 1.39-11.7) of RCC patients in Xinhua cohort, taking RCC-HD as reference.

CONCLUSIONS

We constructed and validated a robust molecular classification system, RCC-TCDC, elucidating three distinct RCC subtypes.

Past, present, and future of exosomes research in cancer: A bibliometric and visualization analysis

Cancer seriously threatens the lives and health of people worldwide, and exosomes seem to play an important role in managing cancer effectively, which has attracted extensive attention from researchers in recent years. This study aimed to scientifically visualize exosomes research in cancer (ERC) through bibliometric analysis, reviewing the past, summarizing the present, and predicting the future, with a view to providing valuable insights for scholars and policy makers. Researches search and data collection from Web of Science Core Collection and clinical trial.gov. Calculations and visualizations were performed using Microsoft Excel, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix R-package, and CiteSpace. As of December 1, 2024, and March 8, 2025, we identified 8,001 ERC-related publications and 107 ERC-related clinical trials, with an increasing trend in annual publications. Our findings supported that China, Nanjing Medical University, and International Journal of Molecular Sciences were the most productive countries, institutions, and journals, respectively. Whiteside, Theresa L. had the most publications, while Théry, C was the most co-cited scholar. In addition, Cancer Research was the most co-cited journal. Spatial and temporal distribution of clinical trials was the same as for publications. High-frequency keywords were "extracellular vesicle," "microRNA" and "biomarker." Additional, "surface functionalization," "plant," "machine learning," "nanomaterials," "promotes metastasis," "engineered exosomes," and "macrophage-derived exosomes" were promising research topics. Our study comprehensively and visually summarized the structure, hotspots, and evolutionary trends of ERC. It would inspire subsequent studies from a macroscopic perspective and provide a basis for rational allocation of resources and identification of collaborations among researchers.

Virulence and pathogenicity of group B Streptococcus: Virulence factors and their roles in perinatal infection

This review summarizes key virulence factors associated with group B Streptococcus (GBS), a significant pathogen particularly affecting pregnant women, fetuses, and infants. Beginning with an introduction to the historical transition of GBS from a zoonotic pathogen to a prominent cause of human infections, particularly in the perinatal period, the review describes major disease manifestations caused by GBS, including sepsis, meningitis, chorioamnionitis, pneumonia, and others, linking each to specific virulence mechanisms. A detailed exploration of the genetic basis for GBS pathogenicity follows, emphasizing the roles of capsules in pathogenesis and immune evasion. The paper also examines the molecular structures and functions of key GBS surface proteins, such as pili, serine-rich repeat proteins, and fibrinogen-binding proteins, which facilitate colonization and disease. Additionally, the review discusses the significance of environmental sensing and response systems, like the two-component systems, in adapting GBS to different host environments. We conclude by addressing current efforts in vaccine development, underscoring the need for effective prevention strategies against this pervasive pathogen.

Extracellular thiol isomerase ERp5 regulates integrin αIIbβ3 activation by inhibition of fibrinogen binding

Recent studies have shown that anti-ERp5 antibodies inhibit platelet activation and thrombus formation; Moreover, ERp5-deficient platelets exhibit enhanced platelet reactivity via regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this study, we used a new ERp5-knockout mouse model as well as recombinant ERp5 (rERp5) protein, to examine the role of ERp5 in platelet function and thrombosis. Although platelet-specific ERp5-deficient mice had decreased platelet count, the mice had shortened tail-bleeding times and enhanced platelet accumulation in FeCl3-induced mesenteric artery injury, compared with wild-type mice. Using platelet-specific ERp5-deficient mice, we found that ERp5 deficiency increased platelet aggregation, granule secretion, and integrin αIIbβ3 activation. Wild-type recombinant ERp5 protein (rERp5-wt) and inactive mutant ERp5 protein (rERp5-mut) both inhibited human platelet aggregation and the binding of fibrinogen to human platelets, indicating that ERp5 protein interferes with the interaction between integrin αIIbβ3 and its ligand fibrinogen, and its enzymatic activity is not required for this process. Consistently, wild-type mice injected with rERp5-wt or rERp5-mut protein had prolonged tail-bleeding times. Our results provide important evidence that platelet ERp5 negatively regulates platelet activation and thrombus formation, via steric hindrance interfering with integrin αIIbβ3 ligation.

Characterization and anti-tuberculosis effects of γδ T cells expanded and activated by Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat-resistant antigen

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) that poses a severe threat to human health. A variety of highly immunogenic tuberculosis proteins have been used as targets in vaccine development to mitigate the spread of TB. Although Th1-type immunity has long been considered a crucial part of resistance to Mtb, γδ T cells, the predominant source of IL-17, are not negligible in controlling the early stages of TB infection. In addition to classical phosphoantigens, Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat-resistant antigens (HAg), a complex containing 564 proteins obtained from live tuberculosis bacteria after heat treatment at 121 °C for 20 min, have been confirmed to be highly effective γδ T cell stimulators as well. Several studies have demonstrated that HAg-activated γδ T cells can participate in TB immunity by secreting multiple cytokines against Mtb or by interacting with other innate immune cells. In this review, we present a possible mechanism of HAg stimulation of γδ T cells and the role of HAg-activated γδ T cells in anti-TB immunity. We also highlight the limitations of studies on HAg activation of γδ T cells and suggest further research directions on the relationship between HAg and γδ T cells.

A novel clustered-based binary grey wolf optimizer to solve the feature selection problem for uncovering the genetic links between non-Hodgkin lymphomas and rheumatologic diseases

The growing incidence of Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) in recent times has brought attention to the need for thorough investigations of their genetic associations with autoimmune and rheumatologic conditions, such as systemic lupus, celiac disease, and Sjögren's syndrome. Our study is the first of its type in this field since it uses machine learning to investigate these relationships in great detail. Firstly, we have developed a new genetic dataset, specifically designed to uncover the genetic intricacies of NHL and rheumatologic diseases, offering unprecedented insights into their molecular mechanisms. Following this, we introduced the Clustered-Based Binary Grey Wolf Optimizer (CB-BGWO), a novel method that significantly revolutionizes the feature selection process in genetic analysis. This optimizer significantly improves the accuracy and efficiency of identifying important genetic variables affecting the interaction between rheumatologic and NHL illnesses. This methodological advance not only increases the analytical power but also creates a new standard for genetic research methods. Our findings address a significant gap in the literature and offer valuable insights that could positively support future treatment strategies and research paths. By illuminating the complex genetic connections between NHL and significant rheumatologic conditions, this work contributes to a better understanding and treatment of these complex diseases.

Trends in the immunotherapy for glioblastoma: A two-decade bibliometric analysis

Glioblastoma is a life-threatening primary malignant brain tumor with an unfavorable prognosis. Contributing factors to its poor outcome include tumor heterogeneity, low mutational burden, and immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment. Recognizing these challenges, immunotherapeutic strategies have emerged as a promising avenue for glioblastoma treatment. Although several dynamic research and scientific trend have increasingly taken pace in the immunotherapeutic approaches to glioblastoma, systematic bibliometric studies on such trends are few. On this note, this study explores a bibliometric analysis of the research hotspots and trends in glioblastoma immunotherapy. We conducted a search in the Web of Science Core Collection database for articles on glioblastoma immunotherapy published between 2004 and 2024. Using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software, we analyzed collected articles to explore aspects such as country of origin, journal of publication, affiliated institute, authorship, keywords, and citation patterns. As of May 1, 2024, we retrieved 3,729 papers on Glioblastoma Immunotherapy. In the field of glioblastoma immunotherapy, the United States stands out as the leading contributor, with 1,708 publications and a substantial 90,590 citations. Following closely, China has made significant contributions through 926 publications, earning 17,533 citations, while Germany adds to the body of knowledge with 349 publications and 16,355 citations. Furthermore, Authoritative journals in this field include Clinical Cancer Research and Neuro-Oncology. The top five keywords during this period were temozolomide, radiotherapy, dendritic cell, cytotoxic T lymphocyte, and vaccination. Moreover, Hotspots in the field include immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy.

Histone modifications in the regulation of erythropoiesis

INTRODUCTION

The pathogenesis of anemia and other erythroid dysphasia are mains poorly understood, primarily due to limited knowledge about the differentiation processes and regulatory mechanisms governing erythropoiesis. Erythropoiesis is a highly complex and precise biological process, that can be categorized into three distinct stages: early erythropoiesis, terminal erythroid differentiation, and reticulocyte maturation, and this complex process is tightly controlled by multiple regulatory factors. Emerging evidence highlights the crucial role of epigenetic modifications, particularly histone modifications, in regulating erythropoiesis. Methylation and acetylation are two common modification forms that affect genome accessibility by altering the state of chromatin, thereby regulating gene expression during erythropoiesis.

DISCUSSION

This review systematically examines the roles of histone methylation and acetylation, along with their respective regulatory enzymes, in regulating the development and differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and erythroid progenitors. Furthermore, we discuss the involvement of these histone modifications in erythroid-specific developmental processes, including hemoglobin switching, chromatin condensation, and enucleation.Conclusions This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of histone modifications in erythropoiesis based on existing research, as a foundation for further research the mechanisms of epigenetic regulatory in erythropoiesis.

3'-Sialyllactose and B. infantis synergistically alleviate gut inflammation and barrier dysfunction by enriching cross-feeding bacteria for short-chain fatty acid biosynthesis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) poses significant threats to human health and quality of life worldwide, as it is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) is a key functional component of milk oligosaccharides. This study systematically evaluates the prebiotic effects of 3'-SL and its therapeutic potential in combination with Bifidobacterium infantis (B. infantis) for UC. The findings reveal that 3'-SL and B. infantis synergistically mitigate intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction by promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) through cross-feeding mechanisms among gut microbiota. Individually, 3'-SL, B. infantis, and the synbiotic treatment all effectively alleviated UC symptoms, including reduced weight loss, improved disease activity scores, and prevention of colon shortening. Histopathological and immunofluorescence analyses further demonstrated that the synbiotic treatment significantly ameliorated colonic injury, enhanced barrier function, restored goblet cell counts, increased glycoprotein content in crypt goblet cells, and upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1). Notably, the synbiotic treatment outperformed the individual components by better restoring gut microbiota balance, elevating SCFA levels, and modulating serum cytokine profiles, thereby reducing inflammation. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the protective effects of the synbiotic and underscore its therapeutic potential for UC and other intestinal inflammatory disorders.

The critical role of ferroptosis in virus-associated hematologic malignancies and its potential value in antiviral-antitumor therapy

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) are key infectious agents linked to the development of various hematological malignancies, including Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. This review highlights the critical knowledge gaps in understanding the role of ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death, in virus-related tumors. We focus on how ferroptosis influences the host cell response to these viral infections, revealing groundbreaking mechanisms by which the three viruses differentially regulate core pathways of ferroptosis, such as iron homeostasis, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant systems, thereby promoting malignant transformation of host cells. Additionally, we explore the potential of antiviral drugs and ferroptosis modulators in the treatment of virus-associated hematological malignancies.

Carthamin yellow-loaded glycyrrhetinic acid liposomes alleviate interstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Carthamin yellow (CY)-loaded glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) liposomes in treating diabetic nephropathy (DN), particularly in alleviating renal interstitial fibrosis and improving kidney function.

METHODS

CY-loaded GA liposomes were prepared and characterized for structural stability and controlled release. DN rat models were treated with CY-loaded GA liposomes, and kidney pathology, function, collagen deposition, and TGF-β1 expression were evaluated. The effects of CY-loaded GA liposomes were compared to Vitamin E and CY alone. In vitro experiments with TGF-β1-stimulated human renal interstitial fibroblasts (hRIFs) examined the effects of CY-loaded GA liposomes on cell proliferation and the expression of fibrotic markers. Mechanistic studies assessed the role of the TGFBR1/Smad2/Smad3 pathway using TGFBR1 overexpression experiments.

RESULTS

The CY-loaded GA liposomes exhibited a stable structure and controlled release profile. In DN rats, treatment with CY-loaded GA liposomes significantly alleviated kidney damage, improved kidney function, reduced collagen deposition and fibrosis, and downregulated TGF-β1 expression, showing superior effects compared to Vitamin E or CY alone. In TGF-β1-stimulated hRIFs, CY-loaded GA liposomes effectively suppressed cell proliferation and reduced the expression of Cyclin D1, PCNA, fibronectin, and collagen I. The inhibitory effects were stronger than CY alone and were mediated by the inactivation of the TGFBR1/Smad2/Smad3 pathway, as confirmed by TGFBR1 overexpression studies.

CONCLUSIONS

CY-loaded GA liposomes demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy in alleviating renal interstitial fibrosis in DN by targeting the TGFBR1/Smad2/Smad3 pathway. This novel drug delivery system provides a promising approach for the treatment of DN.

Proteins of the SubB family provide multiple mechanisms of serum resistance in Yersinia pestis

The serum complement system is a cornerstone element of the innate immune response. Bacterial resistance to this system is a multifaceted process involving various proteins and molecular mechanisms. Here, we report several genes required for the growth of Yersinia pestis in serum. Among them, we found that ypo0337 encodes an outer-membrane-associated lectin that recruits factor H, C4BP and hemopexin, conferring resistance to the serum complement system. YPO0337 displays high sequence similarity with the SubB subunit of the AB5 toxin from Escherichia coli, as well as other SubB-like proteins, and subB from E. coli restores the ability of Y. pestis Δypo0337 mutant to resist to serum complement. Altogether, the data suggest that at least two members of the SubB protein family function as virulence factors, conferring resistance to serum complement through a unique mode of action.

Deciphering the role of APOE in cerebral amyloid angiopathy: from genetic insights to therapeutic horizons

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the walls of medium and small vessels of the brain and leptomeninges, is a major cause of lobar hemorrhage in elderly individuals. Among the genetic risk factors for CAA that continue to be recognized, the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is the most significant and prevalent, as its variants have been implicated in more than half of all patients with CAA. While the presence of the APOE ε4 allele markedly increases the risk of CAA, the ε2 allele confers a protective effect relative to the common ε3 allele. These allelic variants encode three APOE isoforms that differ at two amino acid positions. The primary physiological role of APOE is to mediate lipid transport in the brain and periphery; however, it has also been shown to be involved in a wide array of biological functions, particularly those involving Aβ, in which it plays a known role in processing, production, aggregation, and clearance. The challenges posed by the reliance on postmortem histological analyses and the current absence of an effective intervention underscore the urgency for innovative APOE-targeted strategies for diagnosing CAA. This review not only deepens our understanding of the impact of APOE on the pathogenesis of CAA but can also help guide the exploration of targeted therapies, inspiring further research into the therapeutic potential of APOE.

Lactobacillus intestinalis facilitates tumor-derived CCL5 to recruit dendritic cell and suppress colorectal tumorigenesis

Gut microbes play a crucial role in regulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC). Nevertheless, the deep mechanism between the microbiota-TME interaction has not been well explored. In this study, we for the first time discovered that Lactobacillus intestinalis (L. intestinalis) effectively suppressed tumor growth both in the AOM/DSS-induced CRC model and the ApcMin/+ spontaneous adenoma model. Our investigation revealed that L. intestinalis increased the infiltration of immune cells, particularly dendritic cells (DC), in the TME. Mechanically, the tumor-derived CCL5 induced by L. intestinalis recruited DC chemotaxis through the NOD1/NF-κB signaling pathway. In clinical samples and datasets, we found positive correlation between L. intestinalis, CCL5 level, and the DC-related genes. Our study provided a new strategy for microbial intervention for CRC and deepened the understanding of the interaction between tumor cells and the immune microenvironment modulated by gut microbes.

The role of non-malignant B cells in malignant hematologic diseases

The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a heterogeneous, complicated ecosystem characterized by intricate interactions between tumor cells and immune cells. During the past decade, immune cells especially T cells were found to play an important role in the progression of tumor and many related immune checkpoints drugs were created. In recent years, more and more scientists revealed the critical role of B-cells within the TME, particularly various populations of non-malignant B cells. Some studies indicated that non-malignant B cells may exert a 'double-edged sword' role in solid tumors. However, there has been comparatively less focus on the role of non-malignant B cells in hematologic malignancies. In this review, we characterized the development of B cells and summarized its functions of antitumor immunity within TME, with an emphasis on elucidating the roles and potential mechanisms of non-malignant B cells in the progression of hematologic diseases including classical Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma.

E. coli genetically modified for purine nucleobase release promotes butyrate generation and colonic wound healing during DSS insult

The gut microbiota transforms energy stored as undigestible carbohydrates into a remarkable number of metabolites that fuel intestinal bacterial communities and the host tissue. Colonic epithelial cells at the microbiota-host interface depend upon such microbiota-derived metabolites (MDMs) to satisfy their energy requisite. Microbial dysbiosis eliciting MDM loss contributes to barrier dysfunction and mucosal disease. Recent work has identified a role for microbiota-sourced purines (MSPs), notably hypoxanthine, as an MDM salvaged by the colonic epithelium for nucleotide biogenesis and energy balance. Here, we investigated the role of MSPs in mice during disease-modeled colonic energetic stress using a strain of E. coli genetically modified for enhanced purine nucleobase release (E. coli Mutant). E. coli Mutant colonization protected against DSS-induced tissue damage and permeability while promoting proliferation for wound healing. Metabolite and metagenomic analyses suggested a colonic butyrate-purine nucleobase metabolic axis, wherein the E. coli Mutant provided purine substrate for Clostridia butyrate production and host purine salvage, altogether supplying the host substrate for efficient nucleotide biogenesis and energy balance.

Limosilactobacillus reuteri - a probiotic gut commensal with contextual impact on immunity

The gut microbiome plays a key role in human health, influencing various biological processes and disease outcomes. The historical roots of probiotics are traced back to Nobel Laureate Élie Metchnikoff, who linked the longevity of Bulgarian villagers to their consumption of sour milk fermented by Lactobacilli. His pioneering work led to the global recognition of probiotics as beneficial supplements, now a multibillion-dollar industry. Modern probiotics have been extensively studied for their immunomodulatory effects. Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri), a widely used probiotic, has garnered significant attention for its systemic immune-regulatory properties, particularly in relation to autoimmunity and cancer. This review delves into the role of L. reuteri in modulating immune responses, with a focus on its impact on systemic diseases.

Comparing Campylobacter jejuni to three other enteric pathogens in OligoMM12 mice reveals pathogen-specific host and microbiota responses

Campylobacter jejuni, non-typhoidal Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and enteropathogenic/enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC/EHEC) are leading causes of food-borne illness worldwide. Citrobacter rodentium has been used to model EPEC and EHEC infection in mice. The gut microbiome is well-known to affect gut colonization and host responses to many food-borne pathogens. Recent progress has established gnotobiotic mice as valuable models to study how microbiota affect the enteric infections by S. Typhimurium, C. rodentium and L. monocytogenes. However, for C. jejuni, we are still lacking a suitable gnotobiotic mouse model. Moreover, the limited comparability of data across laboratories is often negatively affected by variations between different research facilities or murine microbiotas. In this study, we applied the standardized gnotobiotic OligoMM12 microbiota mouse model and compared the infections in the same facility. We provide evidence of robust colonization and significant pathological changes in OligoMM12 mice following infection with these pathogens. Moreover, we offer insights into pathogen-specific host responses and metabolite signatures, highlighting the advantages of a standardized mouse model for direct comparisons of factors influencing the pathogenesis of major food-borne pathogens. Notably, we reveal for the first time that C. jejuni stably colonizes OligoMM12 mice, triggering inflammation. Additionally, our comparative approach successfully identifies pathogen-specific responses, including the detection of genes uniquely associated with C. jejuni infection in humans. These findings underscore the potential of the OligoMM12 model as a versatile tool for advancing our understanding of food-borne pathogen interactions.

Key RNA-binding proteins in renal fibrosis: a comprehensive bioinformatics and machine learning framework for diagnostic and therapeutic insights

BACKGROUND

Renal fibrosis is a critical factor in chronic kidney disease progression, with limited diagnostic and therapeutic options. Emerging evidence suggests RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are pivotal in regulating cellular mechanisms underlying fibrosis.

METHODS

Utilizing an extensive GEO dataset (175 renal fibrosis and 99 normal kidney samples), we identified and validated key RBPs through integrated bioinformatics and machine learning approaches, including lasso and logistic regression models. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed for pathway enrichment using Gene Ontology and KEGG. Single-cell RNA sequencing delineated cell-specific RBP expression, and a murine unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model provided experimental validation.

RESULTS

A diagnostic model incorporating five RBPs (FKBP11, DCDC2, COL6A3, PLCB4, and GNB5) achieved high accuracy (AUC = 0.899) and robust external validation. These RBPs are implicated in immune-mediated pathways such as cytokine signaling and inflammatory responses. Single-cell analysis highlighted their expression in specific renal cell populations, underscoring functional diversity. Immunofluorescence linked FKBP11 with macrophage infiltration, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.

CONCLUSION

his study identifies novel RBPs associated with renal fibrosis, advancing the understanding of its pathogenesis and offering actionable biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The integration of bioinformatics and machine learning emphasizes their translational potential in kidney care.

Dual roles of exostosin glycosyltransferase 1 in Zika virus infection

Many factors involved in heparan sulfate (HS) biosynthesis and metabolism have been reported to play roles in viral infection. However, the detailed mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this study, we report that exostosin glycosyltransferase 1 (EXT1), the HS polymerase, is a critical regulatory factor for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Knocking out EXT1 dramatically restricts ZIKV infection, which is not due to the inhibition of virus entry resulting from HS deficiency, but mediated by the downregulation of autophagy. Induction of autophagy promotes ZIKV infection, and attenuated autophagy is found in distinct EXT1 knockout (EXT1-KO) cell lines. Induction of autophagy by rapamycin can relieve the ZIKV production defect in EXT1-KO cells. While over-expressing EXT1 results in the reduction of ZIKV production by targeting the viral envelope (E) protein and non-structural protein NS3 in a proteasome-dependent degradation manner. The different roles of EXT1 in ZIKV infection are further confirmed by the data that knocking down EXT1 at the early stage of ZIKV infection represses viral infection, whereas the increase of ZIKV infection is observed when knocking down EXT1 at the late stage of viral infection. This study discovers previously unrecognized intricate roles of EXT1 in ZIKV infection.

The mystery of methylene blue and its role in managing post-cardiac surgery vasoplegic shock

BACKGROUND

Vasoplegic syndrome is associated with high mortality. Methylene blue (MB) is a guanylate cyclase inhibitor that ameliorates this re-distributive type of shock. This study aims to investigate the outcome in patients who received MB early postoperatively.

METHODS

2753 patients who underwent cardiac surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass at our institution in a time interval of two years were identified. The incidence of vasoplegic syndrome was 7.2% (n = 200). Pharmacy records identified 84 patients (group 1, MB group) who received methylene blue and 116 patients (group 2, Control group) who didn't receive the drug. This single-center retrospective cohort study's primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were postoperative hemodialysis, serum lactate levels at 24 h postoperatively, and intensive care unit stay length in days.

RESULTS

MB patients have a shorter ICU stay as compared to the control group (9 ± 8 days vs. 16 ± 6.9; p-value <.001). In the control group, postoperative hemodialysis was higher (20% in the MB group and 40% in the control group; p-value <.05). At 24 h post-op, the methylene blue group had reduced serum lactate levels (1.8 ± 1.2 vs. 4 ± 1.8 in the control group; p-value <.001). The methylene blue group had a decreased 24-hour norepinephrine dose (1.5 ± 1.2 vs. 2.8 ± 2 in the control group; p-value <.05). In-hospital mortality was not significantly different between the two groups (38% in the MB group vs. 43% in the control group).

CONCLUSION

Early postoperative administration of methylene blue in patients with vasoplegic syndrome shortens intensive care unit stay and contributes to less end-organ damage.

The role of cisplatin in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment and its combination therapy strategies: a new approach to enhance anti-tumor efficacy

Cisplatin is a platinum-based drug that is frequently used to treat multiple tumors. The anti-tumor effect of cisplatin is closely related to the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), which includes several immune cell types, such as the tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs), dendritic cells (DCs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and natural killer (NK) cells. The interaction between these immune cells can promote tumor survival and chemoresistance, and decrease the efficacy of cisplatin monotherapy. Therefore, various combination treatment strategies have been devised to enhance patient responsiveness to cisplatin therapy. Cisplatin can augment anti-tumor immune responses in combination with immune checkpoint blockers (such as PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA4 inhibitors), lipid metabolism disruptors (like FASN inhibitors and SCD inhibitors) and nanoparticles (NPs), resulting in better outcomes. Exploring the interaction between cisplatin and the TIME will help identify potential therapeutic targets for improving the treatment outcomes in cancer patients.

Pathogenicity and virulence of Helicobacter pylori: A paradigm of chronic infection

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common infections of mankind. Infection typically occurs in childhood and persists for the lifetime of the host unless eradicated with antimicrobials. The organism colonizes the stomach and causes gastritis. Most infected individuals are asymptomatic, but infection also causes gastric and duodenal ulceration, and gastric cancer. H. pylori possesses an arsenal of virulence factors, including a potent urease enzyme for protection from acid, flagella that mediate motility, an abundance of outer membrane proteins that can mediate attachment, several immunomodulatory proteins, and an ability to adapt to specific conditions in individual human stomachs. The presence of a type 4 secretion system that injects effector molecules into gastric cells and subverts host cell signalling is associated with virulence. In this review we discuss the interplay of H. pylori colonization and virulence factors with host and environmental factors to determine disease outcome in infected individuals.

Novel immunodominant neoepitope in a KPC mouse model of pancreatic cancer allowing identification of tumor-specific T cells

The 4662 KPC model is one of the most widely used mouse models of pancreatic cancer. It represents an excluded immune phenotype and closely recapitulates the pathophysiology of pancreatic cancer in humans. We set out to identify the endogenous neoepitopes present in 4662 cells. By combining whole-exome and RNA-sequencing and a bioinformatic neoantigen prediction pipeline, we have identified 15 potential candidate neoantigen epitopes. Ten more highly expressed were selected for validation in an in vivo vaccination study with 4662-tumor bearing mice. The Mrps35-derived neoantigen was found to be immunogenic as we have identified endogenous T-cells responding to this neoepitope, and the response was significantly increased upon vaccination with a synthetic peptide and upon PD1-IL2v therapy. Dextramers based on this peptide were validated and can be used to monitor endogenous tumor-specific CD8+ T-cells in response to immunotherapy. This will support the development of novel therapies for this highly unmet medical need indication.

Innate immune cells in vascular lesions: mechanism and significance of diversified immune regulation

Angiogenesis is a complex physiological process. In recent years, the immune regulation of angiogenesis has received increasing attention, and innate immune cells, which are centred on macrophages, are thought to play important roles in vascular neogenesis and development. Various innate immune cells can act on the vasculature through a variety of mechanisms, with commonalities as well as differences and synergistic effects, which are crucial for the progression of vascular lesions. In recent years, monotherapy with antiangiogenic drugs has encountered therapeutic bottlenecks because of the short-term effect of 'vascular normalization'. The combination treatment of antiangiogenic therapy and immunotherapy breaks the traditional treatment pattern. While it has a remarkable curative effect and survival benefits, it also faces many challenges. This review focuses on innate immune cells and mainly introduces the regulatory mechanisms of monocytes, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and neutrophils in vascular lesions. The purpose of this paper was to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of angiogenesis and development and the current research status of innate immune cells in regulating vascular lesions in different states. This review provides a theoretical basis for addressing aberrant angiogenesis in disease processes or finding new antiangiogenic immune targets in inflammation and tumor.

Vδ2 T-cells response in people with Mpox infection: a three-month longitudinal assessment

The first evidence that Orthopoxvirus induced the expansion in vivo and the recall of effector innate Vδ2 T-cells was described in a macaque model. Although, an engagement of αβ T-cells specific response in patients infected with human monkeypox (Mpox) was demonstrated, little is known about the role of γδ T-cells during Mpox infection. IFN-γ-producing γδ T-cells in the resistance to poxviruses may a key role in inducing a protective type 1 memory immunity. We analyzed the kinetics of Vδ2 T-cell response from the acute phase up to three months after Mpox infection. Fourteen MSM subjects (5 PWH, 35.7%) were enrolled in a longitudinal study from May to July 2022. Blood samples were collected in the early phase of infection (T1, T2) and at 3 months (T3M) post-symptom onset. Vδ2 T-cell profiles (CD45RA/CCR7), activation/exhaustion markers (CD38/HLA-DR/CD57/PD-1/TIM-3), cytokine production (IFN-γ/TNF-α) and CD107a expression were assessed by multiparametric flow cytometry. Ten healthy donors (HD) were used as a control group. At T1, Vδ2 T-cell frequency of patients decreased, and effector memory Vδ2 T-cells increased with respect to HD. Activation/exhaustion markers were higher than HD. Vδ2 functionality decreased at T1 related to HD, and it was associated with CD38 and HLA-DR higher expression as well as TIM-3. Vδ2 T-cells restored their profile at T3M. The presence of effector/activated Vδ2 T-cells in the early stages of Mpox infection and their capability to activate quickly, producing pro-inflammatory cytokines, may be useful to enhance the early adaptive response to human Mpox, maintaining a protective memory/effector T-cell response.

The pancreatic tumor microenvironment of treatment-naïve patients causes a functional shift in γδ T cells, impairing their anti-tumoral defense

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a unique challenge for researchers due to its late diagnosis caused by vague symptoms and lack of early detection markers. Additionally, PDAC is characterized by an immunosuppressive microenvironment (TME), making it a difficult tumor to treat. While γδ T cells have shown potential for anti-tumor activity, conflicting studies exist regarding their effectiveness in pancreatic cancer. This study aims to explore the hypothesis that the PDAC TME hinders the anti-tumor capabilities of γδ T cells through blockade of cytotoxic functions. For this reason, we chose to enroll PDAC treatment-naive patients to avoid the possibility of therapy modifying the TME. By flow cytometry, our research findings indicate that the presence of γδ T cells among CD45+ cells in tumor tissue is lower compared to CD66+ cells, but higher than in blood. Circulating Vδ1 T cells exhibit a terminal effector memory phenotype (TEMRA) more than Vδ2 T cells. Interestingly, Vδ1 and Vδ2 T cells appear to be more prevalent at different stages of tumor development. In our in vitro culture using conditioned medium derived from Patient-derived organoids ;(PDOs), we observed a shift in expression markers in γδ T cells of healthy individuals toward an activation and exhaustion phenotype, as confirmed by scRNA-seq analysis extracted from a public database. A deeper understanding of γδ T cells in PDAC could be valuable for developing novel therapies aimed at mitigating the impact of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment on this cell population.

Hyperdifferentiated murine melanoma cells promote adaptive anti-tumor immunity but activate the immune checkpoint system

Accumulating evidence suggests that phenotype switching of cancer cells is essential for therapeutic resistance. However, the immunological characteristics of drug-induced phenotype-switching melanoma cells (PSMCs) are unknown. We investigated PSMC elimination by host immunity using hyperdifferentiated melanoma model cells derived from murine B16F10 melanoma cells. Exposure of B16F10 cells to staurosporine induced a hyperdifferentiated phenotype associated with transient drug tolerance. Staurosporine-induced hyperdifferentiated B16F10 (sB16F10) cells expressed calreticulin on their surface and were phagocytosed efficiently. Furthermore, the inoculation of mice with sB16F10 cells induced immune responses against tumor-derived antigens. Despite the immunogenicity of sB16F10 cells, they activated the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint system and strongly resisted T cell-mediated tumor destruction. However, in vivo treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors successfully eliminated the tumor. Thus, hyperdifferentiated melanoma cells have conflicting immunological properties - enhanced immunogenicity and immune evasion. Inhibiting the ability of PSMCs to evade T cell-mediated elimination might lead to complete melanoma eradication.