Age-Related Changes in Female Murine Reproductive Mucosa with respect to γδ T Cell Presence

Construction and validation of an immune gene-based model for diagnosis and risk prediction of severe asthma

OBJECTIVE

Severe asthma (SA) is a serious disease with limited treatment options, which is closely linked to immune dysfunction. Therefore, immune-associated biomarkers may diagnose SA and offer therapeutic targets for SA.

METHODS

The gene expression profiles of SA patients and matched controls were from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. Immune genes were downloaded from the ImmPort database. After screening for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between SA patients and controls, and identifying gene modules highly associated with SA, immune-related DEGs were obtained. Then, protein-protein interaction analysis, Cytoscape software and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify hub genes. Next, the relationship between hub genes and immune cells was explored, and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was applied to conduct pathway enrichment analyses. Finally, the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) combined with ROC analysis were used to confirm the diagnostic value of the hub genes.

RESULTS

Forty immune-related DEGs were obtained, and RNASE3, CAMP and LTF were determined as hub genes. The hub genes were closely associated with immune cells, and ssGSEA showed that lysosome was associated with high expressions of the hub genes, while primary immunodeficiency was related to low expressions of the hub genes. LASSO combined with ROC analysis confirmed the immune gene-based model (RNASE3, CAMP, LTF, and CD79A) could distinguish SA patients from healthy individuals with high sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

RNASE3, CAMP, LTF, and CD79A could act as diagnostic markers for SA, providing a theoretical basis for developing diagnostic targets for SA.

Uterine Aging and Reproduction: Dealing with a Puzzle Biologic Topic

Uterine aging is the process of the senescence of uterine tissue, observed in all middle-aged mammals. Since the aging-related changes in the uterus are associated with infertility and poor pregnancy outcomes, with a lack of studies discussing uterine aging, authors reviewed uterine aging and its consequences on reproduction. MEDLINE, Scopus, and PubMed searches during the years 1990-2023 were performed using a combination of keywords and terms on such topics. According to the author's evaluation, articles were identified, selected, and included in this narrative review. The aging process has an unfavorable impact on the uterus of mammals. There are different and selected molecular pathways related to uterine aging in humans and animals. Uterine aging impairs the function of the uterine myometrium, neurofibers of the human uterus, and human endometrium. These biological pathways modulate oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory response, inflammation, mitochondrial function, DNA damage repair, etc. All these dysregulations have a role in poorer reproductive performance and pregnancy outcomes in older mammals. The most recent data suggest that uterine aging is accompanied by genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, and immunological changes. Uterine aging has a negative impact on the reproductive performance in mammalian species, but it could be potentially modulated by pharmacological agents, such as quercetin and dasatinib.

Aging unconventionally: γδ T cells, iNKT cells, and MAIT cells in aging

Unconventional T cells include γδ T cells, invariant Natural Killer T cells (iNKT) cells and Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells, which are distinguished from conventional T cells by their recognition of non-peptide ligands presented by non-polymorphic antigen presenting molecules and rapid effector functions that are pre-programmed during their development. Here we review current knowledge of the effect of age on unconventional T cells, from early life to old age, in both mice and humans. We then discuss the role of unconventional T cells in age-associated diseases and infections, highlighting the similarities between members of the unconventional T cell family in the context of aging.