The roles of hyaluronan in kidney development, physiology and disease

The hyaluronan (HA) matrix in the tissue microenvironment is crucial for maintaining homeostasis by regulating inflammatory signalling, endothelial-mesenchymal transition and cell migration. During development, covalent modifications and osmotic swelling of HA create mechanical forces that initiate midgut rotation, vascular patterning and branching morphogenesis. Together with its main cell surface receptor, CD44, HA establishes a physicochemical scaffold at the cell surface that facilitates the interaction and clustering of growth factors and receptors that is required for normal physiology. High-molecular-weight HA, tumour necrosis factor-stimulated gene 6, pentraxin 3 and CD44 form a stable pericellular matrix that promotes tissue regeneration and reduces inflammation. By contrast, breakdown of high-molecular-weight HA into depolymerized fragments by hyaluronidases triggers inflammatory signalling, leukocyte migration and angiogenesis, contributing to tissue damage and fibrosis in kidney disease. Targeting HA metabolism is challenging owing to its dynamic regulation and tissue-specific functions. Nonetheless, modulating HA matrix functions by targeting its binding partners holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for restoring tissue homeostasis and mitigating pathological processes. Further research in this area is warranted to enable the development of novel therapeutic approaches for kidney and other diseases characterized by dysregulated HA metabolism.

Current development of Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) in diagnostics: a review

The ability of the immune system to fight against pathogens relies on the intricate collaboration between antibodies and Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs). These receptors are a group of transmembrane glycoprotein molecules, which can specifically detect and bind to the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules. They are distributed on a diverse array of immune cells, forming a strong defence system to eliminate invading threats. FcγRs have gained increasing attention as potential biomarkers for various diseases in recent years due to their ability to reflect immune dysregulation and disease pathogenesis. Increasing lines of evidence have shed new light on the remarkable association of FcγRs polymorphisms with the susceptibility of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis. Several studies have also reported the application of FcγR as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of infection and cancer. Due to the surge in interest and concern regarding the potential of FcγRs as promising diagnostic biomarkers, this review, thereby, serves to provide a comprehensive overview of the structural characteristics, functional roles, and expression patterns of FcγRs, with a particular focus on their evolving role as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

Randomized control trial of moderate dose vitamin D alters microbiota stability and metabolite networks in healthy adults

Evidence indicates that both vitamin D and the gut microbiome are involved in the process of colon carcinogenesis. However, it is unclear what effects supplemental vitamin D3 has on the gut microbiome and its metabolites in healthy adults. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to identify the acute and long-term microbiota structural and metabolite changes that occur in response to a moderate dose (4,000 IU) of vitamin D3 for 12 weeks in healthy adults. Our results demonstrated a significant increase in serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) in the treatment group compared to placebo (P < 0.0001). Vitamin D3 significantly increased compositional similarity (P < 0.0001) in the treatment group, and enriched members of the Bifidobacteriaceae family. We also identified a significant inverse relationship between the percent change in serum 25(OH)D and microbial stability in the treatment group (R = -0.52, P < 0.019). Furthermore, vitamin D3 supplementation resulted in notable metabolic shifts, in addition to resulting in a drastic rewiring of key gut microbial-metabolic associations. In conclusion, we show that a moderate dose of vitamin D3 among healthy adults has unique acute and persistent effects on the fecal microbiota, and suggest novel mechanisms by which vitamin D may affect the host-microbiota relationship.

IMPORTANCE

Preventative measures to reduce the rise in early-onset colorectal cancer are of critical need. Both vitamin D, dietary and serum levels, and the gut microbiome are implicated in the etiology of colorectal cancer. By understanding the intimate relationship between vitamin D, the gut microbiome, and its metabolites, we may be able to identify key mechanisms that can be targeted for intervention, including inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Furthermore, the similarity of vitamin D to cholesterol, which is metabolized by the gut microbiome, gives precedence to its ability to produce metabolites that can be further studied and leveraged for controlling colorectal cancer incidence and mortality.

Association of thyroid autoantibodies with aggressive characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer: a case-control study

PURPOSE

Although the potential association between autoimmune thyroiditis and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has been acknowledged, whether the clinicopathological features of PTC will be affected by thyroid autoantibodies remains unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a case-control study to investigate the association of thyroid autoantibodies with clinicopathological characteristics of PTC in 15,305 patients (including 11,465 females and 3,840 males) from 3 medical centers in the central province of China. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were performed to analyze the association of thyroid autoantibodies with clinicopathological features of PTC.

RESULTS

In total, out of the 15,305 patients enrolled in this study, 10,087 (65.9%) had negative thyroid autoantibodies, while 5,218(34.1%) tested positive thyroid autoantibodies. Among these individuals, 1,530(10.0%) showed positivity for TPOAb only, 1,247(8.2%) for TGAb only and a further 2,441(15.9%) exhibited dual positivity for both TPOAb and TGAb combined. Thyroid autoantibodies level demonstrated significant correlations with certain aggressive features in PTC. Specifically, TGAb level displayed a direct correlation to an increased likelihood of multifocality, bilateral tumor, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastasis, as well as more than five affected lymph nodes. However, TPOAb level exhibited an inverse association with the risk associated with extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastasis, and more than five affected lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION

Elevated level of TGAb were positively correlated with the risk of aggressive features in PTC, while high level of TPOAb were inversely associated with the risk of extrathyroidal extension and lymph node metastasis.

Impact of Gut Microbiota on Lymphoma: New Frontiers in Cancer Research

The gut microbiome (GMB), which is made up of various microorganisms, plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the host. Disruptions in this delicate ecosystem, known as microbial dysbiosis, have been linked to various diseases, including hematologic malignancies such as lymphoma. This review article explores the complex relationship between the GMB and the development of lymphoma and highlights its implications for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. It discusses how GMB influences lymphoma development directly through the presence of certain microorganisms and indirectly through changes in the immune system. The clinical relevance of GMB is highlighted and its potential utility for diagnosis, predicting treatment outcomes and developing personalized therapeutic strategies for lymphoma patients is demonstrated. The review also looks at microbiome-targeted interventions such as fecal microbiome transplantation and dietary modification, which have shown promise for treating microbial dysbiosis and improving patient outcomes. In addition, it highlights the analytical challenges and the need for further research to fully elucidate the mechanistic functions of the GMB in the context of lymphoma. This review emphasizes the critical role of GMB in lymphomagenesis and its potential for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

RNA modifications in insects

More than 100 RNA chemical modifications to cellular RNA have been identified. N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent modification of mRNA. RNA modifications have recently attracted significant attention due to their critical role in regulating mRNA processing and metabolism. tRNA and rRNA rank among the most heavily modified RNAs, and their modifications are essential for maintaining their structure and function. With our advanced understanding of RNA modifications, increasing evidence suggests RNA modifications are important in regulating various aspects of insect life. In this review, we will summarize recent studies investigating the impact of RNA modifications in insects, particularly highlighting the role of m6A in insect development, reproduction, and adaptation to the environment.

Reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment to improve CAR-T cell-based cancer immunotherapy

In many hematologic malignancies, the adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has demonstrated notable success; nevertheless, further improvements are necessary to optimize treatment efficacy. Current CAR-T therapies are particularly discouraging for solid tumor treatment. The immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumors affects CAR-T cells, limiting the treatment's effectiveness and safety. Therefore, enhancing CAR-T cell infiltration capacity and resolving the immunosuppressive responses within the tumor microenvironment could boost the anti-tumor effect. Specific strategies include structurally altering CAR-T cells combined with targeted therapy, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Overall, monitoring the tumor microenvironment and the status of CAR-T cells is beneficial in further investigating the viability of such strategies and advancing CAR-T cell therapy.

The complex role of macrophages in pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment: a review on cancer progression and potential therapeutic targets

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide with low survival rates and poor outcomes. The treatment landscape for PC is fraught with obstacles, including drug resistance, lack of effective targeted therapies and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The resistance of PC to existing immunotherapies highlights the need for innovative approaches, with the TME emerging as a promising therapeutic target. The recent advancements in understanding the role of macrophages, this context highlight their significant impact on tumor development and progression. There are two important types of macrophages: M1 and M2, which play critical roles in the TME. Therapeutics strategies including, depletion of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), reprogramming TAMs to promote anti-tumor activity, and targeting macrophage recruitment can lead to promising outcomes. Targeting macrophage-related pathways may offer novel strategies for modulating immune responses, inhibiting angiogenesis, and overcoming resistance to chemotherapy in PC treatment.

STAT4 and STAT6, their role in cellular and humoral immunity and in diverse human diseases

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 4 and STAT6 play a crucial role in immune cells by transducing signals from specific cytokine receptors, and inducing transcription of genes involved in cell-mediated and humoral immunity. These two different defense mechanisms against pathogens are regulated by two specific CD4+ T helper (Th) cells known as Th1 and Th2 cells. Many studies have shown that several diseases including cancer, inflammatory, autoimmune and allergic diseases are associated with a Th1/Th2 imbalance caused by increased or decreased expression/activity of STAT4 or STAT6 often due to genetic and epigenetic aberrances. An altered expression of STAT4 has been observed in different tumors and autoimmune diseases, while a dysregulation of STAT6 signaling pathway is frequently observed in allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, food allergy, and tumors such as Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Recently, dysregulations of STAT4 and STAT6 expression have been observed in SARS-CoV2 and monkeypox infections, which are still public health emergencies in many countries. SARS-CoV-2 can induce an imbalance in Th1 and Th2 responses with a predominant activation of STAT6 in the cytosol and nuclei of pneumocytes that drives Th2 polarization and cytokine storm. In monkeypox infection the virus can promote an immune evasion by inducing a Th2 response that in turn inhibits the Th1 response essential for virus elimination. Furthermore, genetic variations of STAT4 that are associated with an increased risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus seem to play a role in defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Gut microbial metabolites: Shaping future diagnosis and treatment against gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer is a worldwide health challenge due to its dramatically increasing prevalence and as a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Increasing evidence has illustrated the vital role of gut microbes-derived metabolites in gastrointestinal cancer progression and treatment. Microbial metabolites are produced by the gut microbiota that utilizes both extrinsic dietary components and intrinsic host-generated compounds. Meanwhile, certain categories of metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, tryptophan, and indole derivatives, are linked to gastrointestinal malignancy. In this review, the major classes of microbial metabolites and their impacts on various gastrointestinal cancers including colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma, have been introduced. The application of microbial metabolites as predictive biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of gastrointestinal cancer has also been explored. In addition, therapeutic potential of strategies that target microbial metabolites against gastrointestinal cancer is further evaluated.

Cytokines in gingivitis and periodontitis: from pathogenesis to therapeutic targets

Chronic inflammatory processes in the oral mucosa and periodontitis are common disorders caused by microflora and microbial biofilms. These factors activate both the innate and adaptive immune systems, leading to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of gingivitis and periodontitis and have been proposed as biomarkers for diagnosis and follow-up of these diseases. They can activate immune and stromal cells, leading to local inflammation and tissue damage. This damage can include destruction of the periodontal ligaments, gingiva, and alveolar bone. Studies have reported increased local levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23, in patients with periodontitis. In experimental models of periodontitis, TNF and the IL-23/IL-17 axis play a pivotal role in disease pathogenesis. Inactivation of these pro-inflammatory pathways through neutralizing antibodies, genetic engineering or IL-10 function has been demonstrated to reduce disease activity. This review discusses the role of cytokines in gingivitis and periodontitis, with particular emphasis on their role in mediating inflammation and tissue destruction. It also explores new therapeutic interventions that offer potential for research and clinical therapy in these chronic inflammatory diseases.

Switch-like Gene Expression Modulates Disease Susceptibility

A fundamental challenge in biomedicine is understanding the mechanisms predisposing individuals to disease. While previous research has suggested that switch-like gene expression is crucial in driving biological variation and disease susceptibility, a systematic analysis across multiple tissues is still lacking. By analyzing transcriptomes from 943 individuals across 27 tissues, we identified 1,013 switch-like genes. We found that only 31 (3.1%) of these genes exhibit switch-like behavior across all tissues. These universally switch-like genes appear to be genetically driven, with large exonic genomic structural variants explaining five (~18%) of them. The remaining switch-like genes exhibit tissue-specific expression patterns. Notably, tissue-specific switch-like genes tend to be switched on or off in unison within individuals, likely under the influence of tissue-specific master regulators, including hormonal signals. Among our most significant findings, we identified hundreds of concordantly switched-off genes in the stomach and vagina that are linked to gastric cancer (41-fold, p<10-4) and vaginal atrophy (44-fold, p<10-4), respectively. Experimental analysis of vaginal tissues revealed that low systemic levels of estrogen lead to a significant reduction in both the epithelial thickness and the expression of the switch-like gene ALOX12. We propose a model wherein the switching off of driver genes in basal and parabasal epithelium suppresses cell proliferation therein, leading to epithelial thinning and, therefore, vaginal atrophy. Our findings underscore the significant biomedical implications of switch-like gene expression and lay the groundwork for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

PCMT1 confirmed as a pan-cancer immune biomarker and a contributor to breast cancer metastasis

Protein L-isoaspartyl (D-aspartyl) methyltransferase (PIMT, gene name PCMT1) is an enzyme that repairs proteins with altered aspartate residues by methylation, restoring their normal structure and function. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of PCMT1 in pan-cancer. The Cancer Genome Atlas, Human Protein Atlas website, and the Genotype-Tissue Expression were utilized in analysis of PCMT1 expression. We examined the association between PCMT1 expression and various factors, including gene modifications, DNA methylation, immune cell infiltration, immunological checkpoints, drug susceptibility, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI). Enrichment analyses determined the potential biological roles and pathways involving PCMT1. Our focus then shifted to the role of PCMT1 in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA). We found that PCMT1 expression was aberrant in many tumors and significantly influenced the prognosis across several cancer types. Gene alterations in PCMT1 predominantly involved deep deletions and amplifications. A negative correlation was observed between DNA methylation and PCMT1 expression across all studied cancer types except thyroid carcinoma PCMT1 exhibited positive correlations with common lymphoid progenitor and CD4(+) T helper 2 cells, whereas it was inversely correlated with central and effector memory T cells, memory CD8(+) T cells, and CD4(+) T helper 1 cells. In many cancer types, PCMT1 expression closely correlated with immunological checkpoint inhibitors, TMB, and MSI. It was also significantly linked to pathways involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), highlighting its role in cancer metastasis. PCMT1 emerged as a significant predictor of breast cancer progression. In vitro experiments demonstrated that reducing PCMT1 expression decreased BRCA cell migration and invasiveness. Additionally, animal studies confirmed that inhibition of PCMT1 slowed tumor growth.

Effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation for Sepsis Treatment: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Zinc plays an important role in sepsis; however, the effectiveness of zinc supplementation and the appropriate dose remain unclear. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of zinc supplementation and the appropriate dose in patients with sepsis.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective observational study included 247 patients with sepsis from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2023 who were receiving ventilatory management. The patients were divided into three groups according to the zinc supplementation dose: <15 mg, 15-50 mg, and ≥50 mg.

RESULTS

The <15 mg, 15-50 mg, and ≥50 mg groups had 28 (19%), six (21%), and 16 deaths (22%) at discharge, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.36). No statistically significant differences were observed in the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (p = 0.06). A higher supplementation dose corresponded with a statistically significant increase in blood zinc concentration in the first week (38.5 ± 16.6 µg/dL, 58.8 ± 19.7 µg/dL, 74.2 ± 22.5 µg/dL, respectively; p < 0.01) but not in the second or third weeks (p = 0.08, 0.19, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Zinc supplementation did not reduce the mortality rate or length of ICU stay or contribute to an increased serum zinc concentration. High-dose zinc supplementation may not be effective during acute sepsis.

STRAP upregulates antiviral innate immunity against PRV by targeting TBK1

Serine/threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) serves as a scaffold protein and is engaged in a variety of cellular activities, although its importance in antiviral innate immunity is unknown. We discovered that STRAP works as an interferon (IFN)-inducible positive regulator, facilitating type I IFN signaling during pseudorabies virus infection. Mechanistically, STRAP interacts with TBK1 to activate type I IFN signaling. Both the CT and WD40 7 - 6 domains contribute to the function of STRAP. Furthermore, TBK1 competes with PRV-UL50 for binding to STRAP, and STRAP impedes the degradation of TBK1 mediated by PRV-UL50, thereby increasing the interaction between STRAP and TBK1. Overall, these findings reveal a previously unrecognized role for STRAP in innate antiviral immune responses during PRV infection. STRAP could be a potential therapeutic target for viral infectious diseases.

Antibody feedback regulation

Antibodies are able to up- or downregulate antibody responses to the antigen they bind. Two major mechanisms can be distinguished. Suppression is most likely caused by epitope masking and can be induced by all isotypes tested (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, IgM, and IgE). Enhancement is often caused by the redistribution of antigen in a favorable way, either for presentation to B cells via follicular dendritic cells (IgM and IgG3) or to CD4+ T cells via dendritic cells (IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b). IgM and IgG3 complexes activate complement and are transported from the marginal zone to follicles by marginal zone B cells expressing complement receptors. IgE-antigen complexes are captured by CD23+ B cells in the blood and transported to follicles, delivered to CD8α+ conventional dendritic cells, and presented to CD4+ T cells. Enhancement of antibody responses by IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b in complex with proteins requires activating FcγRs. These immune complexes are captured by dendritic cells and presented to CD4+ T cells, subsequently helping cognate B cells. Endogenous feedback regulation influences the response to booster doses of vaccines and passive administration of anti-RhD antibodies is used to prevent alloimmunization of RhD-negative women carrying RhD-positive fetuses.

IL-9 secreted by leukemia stem cells induces Th1-skewed CD4+ T cells, which promote their expansion

ABSTRACT

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leukemia stem cells (LSCs) and leukemia progenitor cells (LPCs) interact with various cell types in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, regulating their expansion and differentiation. To study the interaction of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the BM with LSCs and LPCs, we analyzed their transcriptome and predicted cell-cell interactions by unbiased high-throughput correlation network analysis. We found that CD4+ T cells in the BM of patients with AML were activated and skewed toward T-helper (Th)1 polarization, whereas interleukin-9 (IL-9)-producing (Th9) CD4+ T cells were absent. In contrast to normal hematopoietic stem cells, LSCs produced IL-9, and the correlation modeling predicted IL9 in LSCs as a main hub gene that activates CD4+ T cells in AML. Functional validation revealed that IL-9 receptor signaling in CD4+ T cells leads to activation of the JAK-STAT pathway that induces the upregulation of KMT2A and KMT2C genes, resulting in methylation on histone H3 at lysine 4 to promote genome accessibility and transcriptional activation. This induced Th1-skewing, proliferation, and effector cytokine secretion, including interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). IFN-γ and, to a lesser extent, TNF-α produced by activated CD4+ T cells induced the expansion of LSCs. In accordance with our findings, high IL9 expression in LSCs and high IL9R, TNF, and IFNG expression in BM-infiltrating CD4+ T cells correlated with worse overall survival in AML. Thus, IL-9 secreted by AML LSCs shapes a Th1-skewed immune environment that promotes their expansion by secreting IFN-γ and TNF-α.

Icaritin Exerts Anti-Cancer Effects through Modulating Pyroptosis and Immune Activities in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Icaritin (ICT), a natural compound extracted from the dried leaves of the genus Epimedium, possesses antitumor and immunomodulatory properties. However, the mechanisms through which ICT modulates pyroptosis and immune response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. This study demonstrated that ICT exhibits pyroptosis-inducing and anti-hepatocarcinoma effects. Specifically, the caspase1-GSDMD and caspase3-GSDME pathways were found to be involved in ICT-triggered pyroptosis. Furthermore, ICT promoted pyroptosis in co-cultivation of HepG2 cells and macrophages, regulating the release of inflammatory cytokines and the transformation of macrophages into a proinflammatory phenotype. In the Hepa1-6+Luc liver cancer model, ICT treatment significantly increased the expression of cleaved-caspase1, cleaved-caspase3, and granzyme B, modulated cytokine secretion, and stimulated CD8+ T cell infiltration, resulting in a reduction in tumor growth. In conclusion, the findings in this research suggested that ICT may modulate cell pyroptosis in HCC and subsequently regulate the immune microenvironment of the tumor. These observations may expand the understanding of the pharmacological mechanism of ICT, as well as the therapy of liver cancer.

Single domain antibody: Development and application in biotechnology and biopharma

Heavy-chain antibodies (HCAbs) are a unique type of antibodies devoid of light chains, and comprised of two heavy chains-only that recognize their cognate antigen by virtue of a single variable domain also referred to as VHH, single domain antibody (sdAb), or nanobody (Nb). These functional HCAbs, serendipitous discovered about three decades ago, are exclusively found in camelids, comprising dromedaries, camels, llamas, and vicugnas. Nanobodies have become an essential tool in biomedical research and medicine, both in diagnostics and therapeutics due to their beneficial properties: small size, high stability, strong antigen-binding affinity, low immunogenicity, low production cost, and straightforward engineering into more potent affinity reagents. The occurrence of HCAbs in camelids remains intriguing. It is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation, equipping camelids with a robust adaptive immune defense suitable to respond to the pressure from a pathogenic invasion necessitating a more profound antigen recognition and neutralization. This evolutionary innovation led to a simplified HCAb structure, possibly supported by genetic mutations and drift, allowing adaptive mutation and diversification in the heavy chain variable gene and constant gene regions. Beyond understanding their origins, the application of nanobodies has significantly advanced over the past 30 years. Alongside expanding laboratory research, there has been a rapid increase in patent application for nanobodies. The introduction of commercial nanobody drugs such as Cablivi, Nanozora, Envafolimab, and Carvykti has boosted confidence among in their potential. This review explores the evolutionary history of HCAbs, their ontogeny, and applications in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, focusing on approved and ongoing medical research pipelines.

Therapeutic potential of probiotics in gut microbial homeostasis and Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and joint damage. Existing treatment options primarily focus on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression, often with side effects and limitations. The gut microbiome, a vast community of microorganisms present in the gastrointestinal tract, plays a crucial role in health and disease. Recent research suggests a bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiome and RA, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic option. This review focuses on the interaction between the gut microbiome and RA development, by discussing how dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut bacteria, can contribute to RA through multiple mechanisms such as molecular mimicry, leaky gut, and metabolic dysregulation. Probiotics, live microorganisms with health benefits, are emerging as promising tools for managing RA. They can prevent the negative effects of dysbiosis by displacing harmful bacteria, producing anti-inflammatory metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), Directly influencing immune cells, and modifying host metabolism. animal and clinical studies demonstrate the potential of probiotics in improving RA symptoms and disease outcomes. However, further research is needed to optimize probiotic strains, dosages, and treatment protocols for personalized and effective management of RA. This review summarizes the current understanding of the gut microbiome and its role in RA and discusses future research directions. In addition to the established role of gut dysbiosis in RA, emerging strategies like fecal microbiota transplantation, prebiotics, and postbiotics offer exciting possibilities. However, individual variations in gut composition necessitate personalized treatment plans. Long-term effects and clear regulations need to be established. Future research focusing on metagenomic analysis, combination therapies, and mechanistic understanding will unlock the full potential of gut microbiome modulation for effective RA management.

Airway epithelial cell response to RSV is mostly impaired in goblet and multiciliated cells in asthma

BACKGROUND

In patients with asthma, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections can cause disease exacerbation by infecting the epithelial layer of the airways, inducing subsequent immune response. The type I interferon antiviral response of epithelial cells upon RSV infection is found to be reduced in asthma in most-but not all-studies. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms causing the differences in the asthmatic bronchial epithelium in response to viral infection are poorly understood.

METHODS

Here, we investigated the transcriptional response to RSV infection of primary bronchial epithelial cells (pBECs) from patients with asthma (n=8) and healthy donors (n=8). The pBECs obtained from bronchial brushes were differentiated in air-liquid interface conditions and infected with RSV. After 3 days, cells were processed for single-cell RNA sequencing.

RESULTS

A strong antiviral response to RSV was observed for all cell types, for all samples (p<1e-48). Most (1045) differentially regulated genes following RSV infection were found in cells transitioning to secretory cells. Goblet cells from patients with asthma showed lower expression of genes involved in the interferon response (false discovery rate <0.05), including OASL, ICAM1 and TNFAIP3. In multiciliated cells, an impairment of the signalling pathways involved in the response to RSV in asthma was observed.

CONCLUSION

Our results highlight that the response to RSV infection of the bronchial epithelium in asthma and healthy airways was largely similar. However, in asthma, the response of goblet and multiciliated cells is impaired, highlighting the need for studying airway epithelial cells at high resolution in the context of asthma exacerbation.

Short-term effects of air pollutants and meteorological factors on outpatients with allergic airway disease in Ningbo, China, 2015-2021

OBJECTIVES

The allergic airway disease, such as allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, is a general term of a range of inflammatory disorders affecting the upper and lower airways and lung parenchyma. This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of air pollutants and meteorological factors on AAD-related daily outpatient visits.

STUDY DESIGN

An ecological study.

METHODS

Data on outpatient visits due to AAD (n = 4,554,404) were collected from the platform of the Ningbo Health Information from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021. A Quasi-Poisson generalized additive regression model was established to analyze the lag effects of air pollution on daily outpatient visits for AAD. Restricted cubic spline functions were used to explore the potential non-linear relationships between air pollutants and meteorological and daily outpatient visits for AAD.

RESULTS

PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, or CO were associated with daily outpatient visits for AAD, and there was a significant increasing trend in the cumulative lag effects. SO2 had the largest effect at Lag07, with a 25.3% (95% CI: 21.6%-29.0%) increase in AAD for every 10 μg/m3 increase in exposure concentration. Subgroup analysis showed that the 0-18 years old age group had the strongest effects, especially for AR, and all effects were stronger in the cold season.

CONCLUSIONS

Given that patients aged 0-18 are more susceptible to environmental changes, protective measures specifically for children should be taken during dry and cold weather conditions with poor air quality.

Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles Utilize B Cells and Dendritic Cells to Elicit Distinct Antigen-Specific CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell Responses

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are widely studied for treating immune-mediated diseases, and dendritic cells (DCs) are potent APCs that uptake and present antigens (Ags). However, DCs face several challenges that hinder their clinical translation due to their inability to control Ag dosing and low abundance in peripheral blood. B cells are a potential alternative to DCs, but their poor nonspecific Ag uptake capabilities compromise controllable priming of T cells. Here, we developed phospholipid-conjugated Ags (L-Ags) and lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (L/P-Ag NPs) as delivery platforms to expand the range of accessible APCs for use in T cell priming. These delivery platforms were evaluated using DCs, CD40-activated B cells, and resting B cells to understand the impacts of various Ag delivery mechanisms for generation of Ag-specific T cell responses. L-Ag delivery (termed depoting) of MHC class I- and II-restricted Ags successfully loaded all APC types in a tunable manner and primed both Ag-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, respectively. Incorporating L-Ags and polymer-conjugated Ags (P-Ag) into NPs can direct Ags to different uptake pathways to engineer the dynamics of presentation and shape T cell responses. DCs were capable of processing and presenting Ag delivered from both L- and P-Ag NPs, yet B cells could only utilize Ag delivered from L-Ag NPs, which led to differential cytokine secretion profiles in coculture studies. Altogether, we show that L-Ags and P-Ags can be rationally paired within a single NP to leverage distinct delivery mechanisms to access multiple Ag processing pathways in two APC types, offering a modular delivery platform for engineering Ag-specific immunotherapies.

Common protein networks for various drug regimens of major depression are associated with complement and immunity

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) can present a variety of clinical presentations and has high inter-individual heterogeneity. Multiple studies have suggested various subtype models related to symptoms, etiology, sex, and treatment response. Employing different regimens is common when treating MDD, and identifying effective therapeutics requires time. Frequent treatment attempts and failures can lead to a diagnosis of treatment resistance, and the heterogeneity of treatment responses among individuals makes it difficult to understand and interpret the biological mechanisms underlying MDD.

AIM

This study explored the differentially expressed proteins and commonly altered protein networks across drug treatments by comparing the serum proteomes of patients with MDD treated with drug regimens (T-MDD, n = 20) and untreated patients (NT-MDD, n = 20).

METHODS

Differentially expressed proteins were profiled in non-drug-treated and drug-treated patients with depression using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The common protein networks affected by different medications were studied.

RESULTS

Of the proteins profiled, 12 were significantly differentially expressed between the T-MDD and NT-MDD groups. Commonly altered proteins and networks of various drug treatments for depression were related to the complement system and immunity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide information on common biological changes across different pharmacological treatments employed for depression and provide an alternative perspective for improving our understanding of the biological mechanisms of drug response in MDD with great heterogeneity in the background of the disease.

B cell academy of the gut: an update on gut associated germinal centre B cell dynamics

BACKGROUND

The gut is an environment in which the immune system closely interacts with a vast number of foreign antigens, both inert such as food and alive, from the viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoal microbiota. Within this environment, germinal centres, which are microanatomical structures where B cells affinity-mature, are chronically present and active.

MAIN BODY

The functional mechanism by which gut-associated germinal centres contribute to gut homeostasis is not well understood. Additionally, the role of T cells in class switching to immunoglobulin A and the importance of B cell affinity maturation in homeostasis remains elusive. Here, we provide a brief overview of the dynamics of gut-associated germinal centres, T cell dependency in Immunoglobulin A class switching, and the current state of research regarding the role of B cell selection in germinal centres in the gut under steady-state conditions in gnotobiotic mouse models and complex microbiota, as well as in response to immunization and microbial colonization. Furthermore, we briefly link those processes to immune system maturation and relevant diseases.

CONCLUSION

B cell response at mucosal surfaces consists of a delicate interplay of many dynamic factors, including the microbiota and continuous B cell influx. The rapid turnover within gut-associated germinal centres and potential influences of an early-life window of immune system imprinting complicate B cell dynamics in the gut.

Protective effects of Ganoderma lucidum spores on estradiol benzoate-induced TEC apoptosis and compromised double-positive thymocyte development

Backgroud: Thymic atrophy marks the onset of immune aging, precipitating developmental anomalies in T cells. Numerous clinical and preclinical investigations have underscored the regulatory role of Ganoderma lucidum spores (GLS) in T cell development. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this regulation remain elusive. Methods: In this study, a mice model of estradiol benzoate (EB)-induced thymic atrophy was constructed, and the improvement effect of GLS on thymic atrophy was evaluated. Then, we employs multi-omics techniques to elucidate how GLS modulates T cell development amidst EB-induced thymic atrophy in mice. Results: GLS effectively mitigates EB-induced thymic damage by attenuating apoptotic thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and enhancing the output of CD4+ T cells into peripheral blood. During thymic T cell development, sporoderm-removed GLS (RGLS) promotes T cell receptor (TCR) α rearrangement by augmenting V-J fragment rearrangement frequency and efficiency. Notably, biased Vα14-Jα18 rearrangement fosters double-positive (DP) to invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell differentiation, partially contingent on RGLS-mediated restriction of peptide-major histocompatibility complex I (pMHCⅠ)-CD8 interaction and augmented CD1d expression in DP thymocytes, thereby promoting DP to CD4+ iNKT cell development. Furthermore, RGLS amplifies interaction between a DP subpopulation, termed DPsel-7, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), likely facilitating the subsequent development of double-negative iNKT1 cells. Lastly, RGLS suppresses EB-induced upregulation of Abpob and Apoa4, curbing the clearance of CD4+Abpob+ and CD4+Apoa4+ T cells by mTECs, resulting in enhanced CD4+ T cell output. Discussion: These findings indicate that the RGLS effectively mitigates EB-induced TEC apoptosis and compromised double-positive thymocyte development. These insights into RGLS's immunoregulatory role pave the way for its potential as a T-cell regeneration inducer.

An acute rheumatic fever immune signature comprising inflammatory markers, IgG3, and Streptococcus pyogenes-specific antibodies

Understanding the immune profile of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), a serious post-infectious sequelae of Streptococcal pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]), could inform disease pathogenesis and management. Circulating cytokines, immunoglobulins, and complement were analyzed in participants with first-episode ARF, swab-positive GAS pharyngitis and matched healthy controls. A striking elevation of total IgG3 was observed in ARF (90% > clinical reference range for normal). ARF was also associated with an inflammatory triad with significant correlations between interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and complement C4 absent in controls. Quantification of GAS-specific antibody responses revealed that subclass polarization was remarkably consistent across the disease spectrum; conserved protein antigens polarized to IgG1, while M-protein responses polarized to IgG3 in all groups. However, the magnitude of responses was significantly higher in ARF. Taken together, these findings emphasize the association of exaggerated GAS antibody responses, IgG3, and inflammatory cytokines in ARF and suggest IgG3 testing could beneficially augment clinical diagnosis.

NK cell line modified to express a potent, DR5 specific variant of TRAIL, show enhanced cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer models

Objective

Ovarian cancer is a lethal gynaecological malignancy with unsatisfactory 5 year survival rates of 30-50 %. Cell immunotherapy is a promising new cancer treatment where immune cells, such as Natural Killer (NK) cells, are administered to enable the patient to fight cancer through direct cytotoxicity. NK cells orchestrate an adaptive immune response by enabling the release of tumour antigens. NK cell cytotoxicity and effector responses are largely driven by TRAIL engagement. In this study we investigated the cytotoxic potential of a human NK cell line that were modified to express a potent DR5 specific TRAIL variant. We hypothesised that this modification would enhance NK cell cytotoxicity against TRAIL sensitive and resistant ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro.

Methods

KHYG-1 human NK cells were modified with a TRAIL variant targeting DR5 (TRAILv-KHYG-1). Human ovarian cancer cell lines, OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3, were cultured with modified or non-modified NK cells at different effector:target (E:T) ratios for 4 or 16 h. Apoptosis was assessed by Annexin-APC and 7-AAD and measured using flow cytometry. Apoptotic cells were defined as annexin V 7-AAD double positive. Cytokine expression was measured by multiplex ELISA, and analysed by flow cytometry.

Results

Modified and non-modified NK cells significantly reduced OVCAR-3 cell viability as compared to OVCAR-3 cells that were cultured alone after 4 and 16 h treatment. OVCAR-3 cell viability was reduced after treatment with 1:1 E:T ratio with TRAILv-KHYG-1 cells after 16 h. On the contrary, neither NK cell line had any effect of SKOV-3 cell viability despite SKOV-3 cells having more DR5 surface expression compared to OVCAR-3 cells.

Conclusions

TRAILv-KHYG-1 cells significantly reduced OVCAR-3 cell viability as compared to non-modified NK cells. However, no significant reduction in viability was observed when SKOV-3 cell were cultured with either NK cells, despite having more DR5 surface expression compared to OVCAR-3 cells. These data indicate that mechanisms other than DR5 expression drive TRAIL resistance in ovarian cancer.

C5aR1 antagonism suppresses inflammatory glial responses and alters cellular signaling in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in older adults, and the need for effective, sustainable therapeutic targets is imperative. The complement pathway has been proposed as a therapeutic target. C5aR1 inhibition reduces plaque load, gliosis, and memory deficits in animal models, however, the cellular bases underlying this neuroprotection were unclear. Here, we show that the C5aR1 antagonist PMX205 improves outcomes in the Arctic48 mouse model of AD. A combination of single cell and single nucleus RNA-seq analysis of hippocampi derived from males and females identified neurotoxic disease-associated microglia clusters in Arctic mice that are C5aR1-dependent, while microglial genes associated with synapse organization and transmission and learning were overrepresented in PMX205-treated mice. PMX205 also reduced neurotoxic astrocyte gene expression, but clusters associated with protective responses to injury were unchanged. C5aR1 inhibition promoted mRNA-predicted signaling pathways between brain cell types associated with cell growth and repair, while suppressing inflammatory pathways. Finally, although hippocampal plaque load was unaffected, PMX205 prevented deficits in short-term memory in female Arctic mice. In conclusion, C5aR1 inhibition prevents cognitive loss, limits detrimental glial polarization while permitting neuroprotective responses, as well as leaving most protective functions of complement intact, making C5aR1 antagonism an attractive therapeutic strategy for AD.

Immunogenicity of trivalent DNA vaccine candidate encapsulated in Chitosan-TPP nanoparticles against EV-A71 and CV-A16

Aim: To develop a trivalent DNA vaccine candidate encapsulated in Chitosan-TPP nanoparticles against hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and assess its immunogenicity in mice.Materials & methods: Trivalent plasmid carrying the VP1 and VP2 genes of EV-A71, VP1 gene of CV-A16 was encapsulated in Chitosan-TPP nanoparticles through ionic gelation. In vitro characterization and in vivo immunization studies of the CS-TPP-NPs (pIRES-VP121) were performed.Results: Mice administered with CS-TPP NPs (pIRES-VP121) intramuscularly were observed to have the highest IFN-γ response. Sera from mice immunized with the naked pDNA and CS-TPP-NPs (pIRES-VP121) demonstrated good viral clearance against wild-type EV-A71 and CV-A16 in RD cells.Conclusion: CS-TPP-NPs (pIRES-VP121) could serve as a prototype for future development of multivalent HFMD DNA vaccine candidates.

Prognostic Value of Insulin Growth Factor-Like Receptor 1 (IGFLR1) in Stage II and III Colorectal Cancer and Its Association with Immune Cell Infiltration

IGFLR1 is a novel biomarker, and some evidences suggested that is involved in the immune microenvironment of CRC. Here, we explored the expression of IGFLR1 and its association with the prognosis as well as immune cell infiltration in CRC, with the aim to provide a basis for further studies on IGFLR1. Immunohistochemical staining for IGFLR1, TIM-3, FOXP3, CD4, CD8, and PD-1 was performed in eligible tissues to analyze the expression of IGFLR1 and its association with prognosis and immune cell infiltration. Then, we screened colon cancer samples from TCGA and grouped patients according to IGFLR1-related genes. We also evaluated the co-expression and immune-related pathways of IGFLR1 to identify the potential mechanism of it in CRC. When P < 0.05, the results were considered statistically significant. IGFLR1 and IGFLR1-related genes were associated with the prognosis and immune cell infiltration (P < 0.05). In stage II and III CRC tissue and normal tissue, we found (1) IGFLR1 was expressed in both the cell membrane and cytoplasm and which was differentially expressed between cancer tissue and normal tissue. IGFLR1 expression was associated with the expression of FOXP3, CD8, and gender but was not associated with microsatellite instability. (2) IGFLR1 was an independent prognostic factor and patients with high IGFLR1 had a better prognosis. (3) A model including IGFLR1, FOXP3, PD-1, and CD4 showed good prognostic stratification ability. (4) There was a significant interaction between IGFLR1 and GATA3, and IGFLR1 had a significant co-expression with related factors in the INFR pathway. IGFLR1 has emerged as a new molecule related to disease prognosis and immune cell infiltration in CRC patients and showed a good ability to predict the prognosis of patients.

Determination of metal ion transport rate of human ZIP4 using stable zinc isotopes

The essential microelement zinc is absorbed in the small intestine mainly by the zinc transporter ZIP4, a representative member of the Zrt/Irt-like protein (ZIP) family. ZIP4 is reportedly upregulated in many cancers, making it a promising oncology drug target. To date, there have been no reports on the turnover number of ZIP4, which is a crucial missing piece of information needed to better understand the transport mechanism. In this work, we used a nonradioactive zinc isotope, 70Zn, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to study human ZIP4 (hZIP4) expressed in Human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Our data showed that 70Zn can replace the radioactive 65Zn as a tracer in kinetic evaluation of hZIP4 activity. This approach, combined with the quantification of the cell surface expression of hZIP4 using biotinylation or surface-bound antibody, allowed us to estimate the apparent turnover number of hZIP4 to be in the range of 0.08 to 0.2 s-1. The turnover numbers of the truncated hZIP4 variants are significantly smaller than that of the full-length hZIP4, confirming a crucial role for the extracellular domain in zinc transport. Using 64Zn and 70Zn, we measured zinc efflux during the cell-based transport assay and found that it has little effect on the zinc import analysis under these conditions. Finally, we demonstrated that use of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-TOF-mass spectrometry on samples applied to a solid substrate significantly increased the throughput of the transport assay. We envision that the approach reported here can be applied to the studies of metal transporters beyond the ZIP family.

A Comparative Analysis of the Immunoglobulin Repertoire in Leukemia Cells and B Cells in Chinese Acute Myeloid Leukemia by High-Throughput Sequencing

It is common knowledge that immunoglobulin (Ig) is produced by B lymphocytes and mainly functions as an antibody. However, it has been shown recently that myeloblasts from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) could also express Ig and that AML-Ig played a role in leukemogenesis and AML progression. The difference between Ig from myeloblasts and B cells has not been explored. Studying the characteristics of the Ig repertoire in myeloblasts and B cells will be helpful to understand the function and significance of AML-Ig. We performed 5' RACE-related PCR coupled with PacBio sequencing to analyze the Ig repertoire in myeloblasts and B cells from Chinese AML patients. Myeloblasts expressed all five classes of IgH, especially Igγ, with a high expression frequency. Compared with B-Ig in the same patient, AML-Ig showed different biased V(D)J usages and mutation patterns. In addition, the CDR3 length distribution of AML-Ig was significantly different from those of B-Ig. More importantly, mutations of AML-IgH, especially Igμ, Igα, and Igδ, were different from that of B-IgH in each AML patient, and the mutations frequently occurred at the sites of post-translational modification. AML-Ig has distinct characteristics of variable regions and mutations, which may have implications for disease monitoring and personalized therapy.

Cloaking antibodies are prevalent in Burkholderia cepacia complex infection and their removal restores serum killing

Introduction

The Burkholderia cepacia complex encompasses a group of gram-negative opportunistic pathogens that cause chronic lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis. Distinct from other respiratory pathogens, Burkholderia causes a unique clinical disease in a subset of patients known as 'cepacia syndrome', fulminant pneumonia accompanied by bacteraemia and sepsis with a mortality rate of up to 75%. Due to the bacteraemia associated with this disease, the mechanisms that allow Burkholderia to resist the bactericidal effects of serum complement-depending killing are vital. Antibodies usually promote serum killing; however, we have described 'cloaking antibodies', specific for lipopolysaccharides that paradoxically protect serum-sensitive bacteria from complement-mediated lysis. Cloaking antibodies that protect Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been found in 24%-41% of patients with chronic lung diseases. The presence of these antibodies is also associated with worse clinical outcomes. Here, we sought to determine the relevance of cloaking antibodies in patients with Burkholderia infection.

Methods

Twelve Burkholderia spp. were isolated from nine pwCF and characterised for susceptibility to healthy control serum. Patient serum was analysed for the titre of the cloaking antibody. The ability of the patient serum to prevent healthy control serum (HCS) killing of its cognate isolates was determined.

Results

We found that several of the Burkholderia strains were shared between patients. Ten of the 12 isolates were highly susceptible to HCS killing. Four of nine (44%) patients had cloaking antibodies that protected their cognate strain from serum killing. Depleting cloaking antibodies from patient serum restored HCS killing of Burkholderia isolates.

Discussion

Cloaking antibodies are prevalent in patients with Burkholderia pulmonary infection and protect these strains from serum killing. Removal of cloaking antibodies via plasmapheresis, as previously described for individuals with life-threatening Pseudomonas infection, may be a useful new strategy for those with serious and life-threatening Burkholderia infection.

Immunopeptidomics Mapping of Listeria monocytogenes T Cell Epitopes in Mice

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne intracellular bacterial model pathogen. Protective immunity against Listeria depends on an effective CD8+ T cell response, but very few T cell epitopes are known in mice as a common animal infection model for listeriosis. To identify epitopes, we screened for Listeria immunopeptides presented in the spleen of infected mice by mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics. We mapped more than 6000 mouse self-peptides presented on MHC class I molecules, including 12 high confident Listeria peptides from 12 different bacterial proteins. Bacterial immunopeptides with confirmed fragmentation spectra were further tested for their potential to activate CD8+ T cells, revealing VTYNYINI from the putative cell wall surface anchor family protein LMON_0576 as a novel bona fide peptide epitope. The epitope showed high biological potency in a prime boost model and can be used as a research tool to probe CD8+ T cell responses in the mouse models of Listeria infection. Together, our results demonstrate the power of immunopeptidomics for bacterial antigen identification.

Exploring the Bidirectional Effects of Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Urticaria Subtypes Through Mendelian Randomization and Mediation Analysis

Background

Emerging evidence links gut microbiota and their by-products, notably short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), to urticaria. This study employs multiple Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses to unravel the complex interactions among gut microbiota, SCFAs, and different subtypes of urticaria, aiming to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and enhance future clinical research.

Methods

We analyzed published genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics to identify associations between gut microbiota and three common subtypes of urticaria: spontaneous, dermatographic, and temperature-triggered. Initial two-sample and reverse MR analyses explored the causality in these relationships. Subsequent multivariate MR analyses investigated the role of SCFAs in modulating these interactions, with multiple sensitivity analyses to ensure robustness.

Findings

Specific taxa were differently associated with various urticaria subtypes. From microbiota to urticaria: one taxon was negatively associated with dermatographic urticaria; seven taxa were negatively associated and four positively associated with temperature-triggered urticaria; four taxa were negatively associated and six positively associated with spontaneous urticaria. Conversely, from urticaria to microbiota: five taxa were negatively associated with dermatographic urticaria; four were negatively and two positively associated with temperature-triggered urticaria; and two were negatively associated with spontaneous urticaria. These associations were observed at a nominal significance level (P < 0.05). After applying Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, these associations did not reach statistical significance. The observed trends, however, provide insights into potential microbiota-urticaria interactions. Multivariate MR analyses elucidated the role of SCFAs, particularly acetate, which plays a crucial role in modulating immune response. Adjusting for acetate revealed direct effects of Actinobacteria, Bifidobacteriales, and Bifidobacteriaceae on spontaneous urticaria, with corresponding mediation effects of -22%, -24.9%, and -24.9% respectively. Similarly, adjustments for Alcaligenaceae and Betaproteobacteria indicated significant negative effects of acetate on dermatographic and spontaneous urticaria, with mediation effects of -21.7% and -23.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

This study confirms the interconnected roles of gut microbiota, SCFAs, and urticaria. It highlights SCFAs' potential mediating role in influencing urticaria through microbiota, providing insights for future therapeutic strategies.

The JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib inhibits mediator release from human basophils and mast cells

Introduction

The Janus kinase (JAK) family includes four cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2) constitutively bound to several cytokine receptors. JAKs phosphorylate downstream signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT). JAK-STAT5 pathways play a critical role in basophil and mast cell activation. Previous studies have demonstrated that inhibitors of JAK-STAT pathway blocked the activation of mast cells and basophils.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of ruxolitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, on IgE- and IL-3-mediated release of mediators from human basophils, as well as substance P-induced mediator release from skin mast cells (HSMCs).

Results

Ruxolitinib concentration-dependently inhibited IgE-mediated release of preformed (histamine) and de novo synthesized mediators (leukotriene C4) from human basophils. Ruxolitinib also inhibited anti-IgE- and IL-3-mediated cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13) release from basophils, as well as the secretion of preformed mediators (histamine, tryptase, and chymase) from substance P-activated HSMCs.

Discussion

These results indicate that ruxolitinib, inhibiting the release of several mediators from human basophils and mast cells, is a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Nicotinamide Suppresses Hyperactivation of Dendritic Cells to Control Autoimmune Disease through PARP Dependent Signaling

Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial in initiating and shaping both innate and adaptive immune responses. Clinical studies and experimental models have highlighted their significant involvement in various autoimmune diseases, positioning them as promising therapeutic targets. Nicotinamide (NAM), a form of vitamin B3, with its anti-inflammatory properties, has been suggested, while the involvement of NAM in DCs regulation remains elusive. Here, through analyzing publicly available databases, we observe substantial alterations in NAM levels and NAM metabolic pathways during DCs activation. Furthermore, we discover that NAM, but not Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), significantly inhibits DCs over-activation in vitro and in vivo. The suppression of DCs hyperactivation effectively alleviates symptoms of psoriasis. Mechanistically, NAM impairs DCs activation through a Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs)-NF-κB dependent manner. Notably, phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT) and PARPs are significantly upregulated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated DCs and psoriasis patients; elevated NAMPT and PARPs expression in psoriasis patients correlates with higher psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores. In summary, our findings underscore the pivotal role of NAM in modulating DCs functions and autoimmune disorders. Targeting the NAMPT-PARP axis emerges as a promising therapeutic approach for DC-related diseases.

S100A8/A9-activated IFNγ+ NK cells trigger β-cell necroptosis in hepatitis B virus-associated liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated liver cirrhosis (LC), a common condition with high incidence and mortality rates, is often associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying impaired glucose regulation during HBV-associated LC remain unclear.

METHODS

Data from 63 patients with LC and 62 patients with LC-associated DM were analysed. Co-culture of NK cells and islet β cell lines were used to study the glucose regulation mechanism. A mouse model of LC was used to verify the effect of S100A8/A9 on the glucose regulation.

RESULTS

Higher levels of interferon (IFN)-γ derived from natural killer (NK) cells and lower levels of insulin emerged in the peripheral blood of patients with both LC and DM compared with those from patients with LC only. IFN-γ derived from NK cells facilitated β cell necroptosis and impaired insulin production. Furthermore, S100A8/A9 elevation in patients with both LC and DM was found to upregulate IFN-γ production in NK cells. Consistently, in the mouse model for LC, mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) and S100A8/A9 exhibited increased blood glucose, impaired insulin production, increased IFN-γ, and increased β cells necroptosis compared with those treated with CCL4. Mechanistically, S100A8/A9 activated the p38 MAPK pathway to increase IFN-γ production in NK cells. These effects were diminished after blocking RAGE.

CONCLUSION

Together, the data indicate that IFN-γ produced by NK cells induces β cell necroptosis via the S100A8/A9-RAGE-p38 MAPK axis in patients with LC and DM. Reduced levels of S100A8/A9, NK cells, and IFN-γ could be valuable for the treatment of LC with DM. Accumulation of S100A8/A9 in patients with LC may indicate the emergence of DM.

Anti-inflammatory potential of Piper betleoides C. DC., a promising Piper species of Northeast India: in vitro and in vivo evidence and mechanistic insight

The present study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of the leaf hydroalcoholic extract of Piper betleoides C. DC., also known as "Jangli Paan" in Northeast India, using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated both cell culture (RAW264.7, macrophage cells) and animal (albino rat) model of inflammation. Treatment with leaf hydroalcoholic extract of Piper betleoides (PBtE) dose-dependently (5, 10, and 20 µg/mL) decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1) and increased anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines in LPS-treated macrophages. Similarly, treatment with PBtE also prevented the alternation in mRNA expression of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, CCL-2, IL-6, and IL-10) in LPS-treated macrophages. Dose-dependent supplementation with PBtE further reduced the production of intracellular ROS and increased the phagocytosis efficacies in LPS-treated cells. Further in vivo studies demonstrated that treatment with PBtE dose-dependently (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight) prevented the dysregulation of the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) and reduced the circulatory levels of prostaglandin (PGE2) and nitric oxide products (nitrite) in LPS-treated animals. In addition, alternation of blood cell profiling and the liver as well as kidney dysfunctions were also prevented by the treatment with PBtE in LPS-treated rats. The anti-inflammatory potential of PBtE was comparable to those seen in sodium diclofenac (positive control) treated group. LC-MS analyses showed piperine, piperlongumine, piperolactam-A, and dehydropipernonaline and GC-MS analyses demonstrated phytol, caryophyllene, and falcarinol as the phytochemicals present in Piper betleoides, which might play an important role in preventing inflammation and associated pathophysiology. Different treatments didn't cause any toxicity in cell culture and animal models. This study for the first time demonstrated the promising anti-inflammatory potential of the leaf hydroalcoholic extract of Piper betleoides.

Surface Molecularly Engineered Mitochondria Conduct Immunophenotype Repolarization of Tumor-Associated Macrophages to Potentiate Cancer Immunotherapy

Reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to an inflammatory phenotype effectively increases the potential of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Artificial mitochondrial transplantation, an emerging and safe strategy, has made brilliant achievements in regulating the function of recipient cells in preclinic and clinic, but its performance in reprogramming the immunophenotype of TAMs has not been reported. Here, the metabolism of M2 TAMs is proposed resetting from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to glycolysis for polarizing M1 TAMs through targeted transplantation of mannosylated mitochondria (mPEI/M1mt). Mitochondria isolated from M1 macrophages are coated with mannosylated polyethyleneimine (mPEI) through electrostatic interaction to form mPEI/M1mt, which can be targeted uptake by M2 macrophages expressed a high level of mannose receptors. Mechanistically, mPEI/M1mt accelerates phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, MAPK p38 and JNK by glycolysis-mediated elevation of intracellular ROS, thus prompting M1 macrophage polarization. In vivo, the transplantation of mPEI/M1mt excellently potentiates therapeutic effects of anti-PD-L1 by resetting an antitumor proinflammatory tumor microenvironment and stimulating CD8 and CD4 T cells dependent immune response. Altogether, this work provides a novel platform for improving cancer immunotherapy, meanwhile, broadens the scope of mitochondrial transplantation technology in clinics in the future.

Genetically and Functionally Distinct Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Locus Duplication in Bats

The genetic locus encoding immunoglobulin heavy chains (IgH) is critical for vertebrate humoral immune responses and diverse antibody repertoires. Immunoglobulin and T cell receptor loci of most bat species have not been annotated, despite the recurrent role of bats as viral reservoirs and sources of zoonotic pathogens. We investigated the genetic structure and function of IgH loci across the largest bat family, Vespertilionidae, focusing on big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus ). We discovered that E. fuscus and ten other species within Vespertilionidae have two complete, functional, and distinct immunoglobulin heavy chain loci on separate chromosomes. This locus organization is previously unknown in mammals, but is reminiscent of more limited duplicated loci in teleost fish. Single cell transcriptomic data validate functional rearrangement and expression of immunoglobulin heavy chains of both loci in the expressed repertoire of Eptesicus fuscus , with maintenance of allelic exclusion, bias of usage toward the smaller and more compact IgH locus, and evidence of differential selection of antigen-experienced B cells and plasma cells varying by IgH locus use. This represents a unique mechanism for mammalian humoral immunity and may contribute to bat resistance to viral pathogenesis.

Computational Prediction of Multiple Antigen Epitopes

Motivation

Identifying antigen epitopes is essential in medical applications, such as immunodiagnostic reagent discovery, vaccine design, and drug development. Computational approaches can complement low-throughput, time-consuming, and costly experimental determination of epitopes. Currently available prediction methods, however, have moderate success predicting epitopes, which limits their applicability. Epitope prediction is further complicated by the fact that multiple epitopes may be located on the same antigen and complete experimental data is often unavailable.

Results

Here, we introduce the antigen epitope prediction program ISPIPab that combines information from two feature-based methods and a docking-based method. We demonstrate that ISPIPab outperforms each of its individual classifiers as well as other state-of-the-art methods, including those designed specifically for epitope prediction. By combining the prediction algorithm with hierarchical clustering, we show that we can effectively capture epitopes that align with available experimental data while also revealing additional novel targets for future experimental investigations.

Contact

raji@yu.edu.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

The battle between host antiviral innate immunity and immune evasion by cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has successfully established a long-lasting latent infection in humans due to its ability to counteract the host antiviral innate immune response. During coevolution with the host, the virus has evolved various evasion techniques to evade the host's innate immune surveillance. At present, there is still no vaccine available for the prevention and treatment of CMV infection, and the interaction between CMV infection and host antiviral innate immunity is still not well understood. However, ongoing studies will offer new insights into how to treat and prevent CMV infection and its related diseases. Here, we update recent studies on how CMV evades antiviral innate immunity, with a focus on how CMV proteins target and disrupt critical adaptors of antiviral innate immune signaling pathways. This review also discusses some classic intrinsic cellular defences that are crucial to the fight against viral invasion. A comprehensive review of the evasion mechanisms of antiviral innate immunity by CMV will help investigators identify new therapeutic targets and develop vaccines against CMV infection.

Effects of Acremonium terricola Culture on Lactation Performance, Immune Function, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Flora of Sows

This study aimed to determine the effects of different doses of Acremonium terricola culture (ATC) on lactation performance, immune function, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal flora of sows. Forty-five Landrace sows (3-6 parity) were randomly assigned to the following three treatments from 85 days of gestation to 21 days after farrowing: a control diet (CON, basal diet), a low-dose Acremonium terricola culture diet (0.2% ATC, basal diet + 0.2% ATC), and a high-dose Acremonium terricola culture diet (0.4% ATC, basal diet + 0.4% ATC). Compared with the CON group, the supplementation of 0.2% ATC increased the average daily milk yield of sows by 4.98%, increased milk fat, total solids, and freezing point depression on day 1 postpartum (p < 0.05), increased serum concentration of Triiodothyronine, Thyroxin, and Estradiol on day 21 postpartum (p < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the supplementation of 0.4% ATC increased the average daily milk yield of sows by 9.38% (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the supplementation of 0.2% ATC increased serum concentration of IgG, IgM, and IFN-γ, CD4 on day 1 postpartum (p < 0.05) and increased serum concentration of immunoglobulin A ( IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M ( IgM), complement 3 (C3), cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) on day 21 postpartum (p < 0.05), while the supplementation of 0.4% ATC reduced serum concentration of IL-2 on day 21 postpartum (p < 0.05). Moreover, the supplementation of 0.4% ATC significantly increased serum concentration of catalase (CAT) (p < 0.05). Additionally, the supplementation of ATC affected the relative abundance of the intestinal flora at different taxonomic levels in sows and increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as in the norank_f__Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes group, Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes group, and Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014 group of sows, while reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Phascolarctobacterium and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1. These data revealed that the supplementation of ATC during late gestation and lactation can improve lactation performance, immune function, antioxidant capacity, and the gut microbiota. Compared with supplementation of 0.4% ATC, 0.2% ATC enhances the levels of thyroid-related hormones, specific antibodies, and cytokines in serum, promotes the diversity of beneficial gut microbiota, beneficial bacteria in the intestine, reduces the population of harmful bacteria, and thereby bolsters the immunity of sows. Hence, 0.2% ATC is deemed a more optimal concentration.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9 for chronic diarrhea in young adults: a large double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Current treatments for chronic diarrhea have limited efficacy and several side effects. Probiotics have the potential to alleviate symptoms of diarrhea. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluates the effects of administering the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9 (P9) strain in young adults with chronic diarrhea (Clinical Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR2000038410). The intervention period lasts for 28 days, followed by a 14-day post-intervention period. Participants are randomized into the P9 (n = 93) and placebo (n = 96) groups, with 170 individuals completing the double-blind intervention phase (n = 85 per group). The primary endpoint is the diarrhea symptom severity score. Both intention-to-treat (n = 189) and per-protocol (n = 170) analyses reveal a modest yet statistically significant reduction in diarrhea severity compared to the placebo group (20.0%, P = 0.050; 21.4%, P = 0.048, respectively). In conclusion, the results of this study support the use of probiotics in managing chronic diarrhea in young adults. However, the lack of blood parameter assessment and the short intervention period represent limitations of this study.

Vaccine and antiviral drug promise for preventing post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, and their combination for its treatment

Introduction

Most healthy individuals recover from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas a remarkable number continues to suffer from unexplained symptoms, known as Long COVID or post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). It is therefore imperative that methods for preventing and treating the onset of PASC be investigated with the utmost urgency.

Methods

A mathematical model of the immune response to vaccination and viral infection with SARS-CoV-2, incorporating immune memory cells, was developed.

Results and discussion

Similar to our previous model, persistent infection was observed by the residual virus in the host, implying the possibility of chronic inflammation and delayed recovery from tissue injury. Pre-infectious vaccination and antiviral medication administered during onset can reduce the acute viral load; however, they show no beneficial effects in preventing persistent infection. Therefore, the impact of these treatments on the PASC, which has been clinically observed, is mainly attributed to their role in preventing severe tissue damage caused by acute viral infections. For PASC patients with persistent infection, vaccination was observed to cause an immediate rapid increase in viral load, followed by a temporary decrease over approximately one year. The former was effectively suppressed by the coadministration of antiviral medications, indicating that this combination is a promising treatment for PASC.

LAG-3 sustains TOX expression and regulates the CD94/NKG2-Qa-1b axis to govern exhausted CD8 T cell NK receptor expression and cytotoxicity

Exhausted CD8 T (Tex) cells in chronic viral infection and cancer have sustained co-expression of inhibitory receptors (IRs). Tex cells can be reinvigorated by blocking IRs, such as PD-1, but synergistic reinvigoration and enhanced disease control can be achieved by co-targeting multiple IRs including PD-1 and LAG-3. To dissect the molecular changes intrinsic when these IR pathways are disrupted, we investigated the impact of loss of PD-1 and/or LAG-3 on Tex cells during chronic infection. These analyses revealed distinct roles of PD-1 and LAG-3 in regulating Tex cell proliferation and effector functions, respectively. Moreover, these studies identified an essential role for LAG-3 in sustaining TOX and Tex cell durability as well as a LAG-3-dependent circuit that generated a CD94/NKG2+ subset of Tex cells with enhanced cytotoxicity mediated by recognition of the stress ligand Qa-1b, with similar observations in humans. These analyses disentangle the non-redundant mechanisms of PD-1 and LAG-3 and their synergy in regulating Tex cells.

Biomolecular condensates with liquid properties formed during viral infections

During a viral infection, several membraneless compartments with liquid properties are formed. They can be of viral origin concentrating viral proteins and nucleic acids, and harboring essential stages of the viral cycle, or of cellular origin containing components involved in innate immunity. This is a paradigm shift in our understanding of viral replication and the interaction between viruses and innate cellular immunity.

Microbead-Encapsulated Luminescent Bioreporter Screening of P. aeruginosa via Its Secreted Quorum-Sensing Molecules

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium that remains a prevalent clinical and environmental challenge. Quorum-sensing (QS) molecules are effective biomarkers in pinpointing the presence of P. aeruginosa. This study aimed to develop a convenient-to-use, whole-cell biosensor using P. aeruginosa reporters individually encapsulated within alginate-poly-L-lysine (alginate-PLL) microbeads to specifically detect the presence of bacterial autoinducers. The PLL-reinforced microbeads were prepared using a two-step method involving ionic cross-linking and subsequent coating with thin layers of PLL. The alginate-PLL beads showed good stability in the presence of a known cation scavenger (sodium citrate), which typically limits the widespread applications of calcium alginate. In media containing synthetic autoinducers-such as N-(3-oxo dodecanoyl) homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C12-HSL) and N-butanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL), or the cell-free supernatants of planktonic or the flow-cell biofilm effluent of wild P. aeruginosa (PAO1)-the encapsulated bacteria enabled a dose-dependent detection of the presence of these QS molecules. The prepared bioreporter beads remained stable during prolonged storage at 4 and -80 °C and were ready for on-the-spot sensing without the need for recovery. The proof-of-concept, optical fiber-based, and whole-cell biosensor developed here demonstrates the practicality of the encapsulated bioreporter for bacterial detection based on specific QS molecules.