Semaphorin 3E deficiency dysregulates dendritic cell functions: In vitro and in vivo evidence

Sema-3E/PlexinD1 axis modulates dendritic cell phenotypes and functions: Current status and future implications

This comprehensive research review explores the complex interplay between the Sema-3E/PlexinD1 axis and dendritic cells (DCs), highlighting its critical role in immune modulation with implications for clinical application Critical regulators of immune responses Dendritic cells are central to adaptive immunity, and the Sema-3E /PlexinD1 axis emerges as a key modulator affecting their phenotypes and functions Review delineates the impact of this signaling axis on DC maturation, migration, antigen presentation, and cytokine production, unravels its multifaceted role in shaping the immune response. Recognizing the limitations and gaps in current knowledge, the study highlights the need for further studies to condition downstream signaling events and related information experienced by the Sema-3E/PlexinD1 axis emphasizes the clarity of the immune system. The review concludes by identifying opportunities for translation, focusing on therapeutic and diagnostic potential. It highlights the importance of collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts to address the challenges and harness the therapeutic and pathological potential of targeting the Sema-3E/PlexinD1 axis, thus opening the way for transformative advances in immunology and clinical medicine.

Rac1: A Regulator of Cell Migration and A Potential Target for Cancer Therapy

Cell migration is crucial for physiological and pathological processes such as morphogenesis, wound repair, immune response and cancer invasion/metastasis. There are many factors affecting cell migration, and the regulatory mechanisms are complex. Rac1 is a GTP-binding protein with small molecular weight belonging to the Rac subfamily of the Rho GTPase family. As a key molecule in regulating cell migration, Rac1 participates in signal transduction from the external cell to the actin cytoskeleton and promotes the establishment of cell polarity which plays an important role in cancer cell invasion/metastasis. In this review, we firstly introduce the molecular structure and activity regulation of Rac1, and then summarize the role of Rac1 in cancer invasion/metastasis and other physiological processes. We also discuss the regulatory mechanisms of Rac1 in cell migration and highlight it as a potential target in cancer therapy. Finally, the current state as well as the future challenges in this area are considered. Understanding the role and the regulatory mechanism of Rac1 in cell migration can provide fundamental insights into Rac1-related cancer progression and further help us to develop novel intervention strategies for cancer therapy in clinic.

Targeting the Semaphorin3E-plexinD1 complex in allergic asthma

Asthma is a heterogenous airway disease characterized by airway inflammation and remodeling. It affects more than 300 million people worldwide and poses a significant burden on society. Semaphorins, discovered initially as neural guidance molecules, are ubiquitously expressed in various organs and regulate multiple signaling pathways. Interestingly, Semaphorin3E is a critical molecule in lung pathophysiology through its role in both lung development and homeostasis. Semaphorin3E binds to plexinD1, mediating regulatory effects on cell migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that the Semaphorin3E-plexinD1 axis is implicated in asthma, impacting inflammatory and structural cells associated with airway inflammation, tissue remodeling, and airway hyperresponsiveness. This review details the Semaphorin3E-plexinD1 axis in various aspects of asthma and highlights future directions in research including its potential role as a therapeutic target in airway allergic diseases.

New Insights of CCR7 Signaling in Dendritic Cell Migration and Inflammatory Diseases

CCR7, collaborated with its ligands CCL19 and CCL21, controls extensive migratory events in the immune system. CCR7-bearing dendritic cells can swarm into T-cell zones in lymph nodes, initiating the antigen presentation and T-cell response. Abnormal expression of CCR7 in dendritic cells will cause a series of inflammatory diseases due to the chaotic dendritic cell trafficking. In this review, we take an in-depth look at the structural–functional domains of CCR7 and CCR7-bearing dendritic cell trajectory to lymph nodes. Then, we summarize the regulatory network of CCR7, including transcriptional regulation, translational and posttranslational regulation, internalization, desensitization, and recycling. Furthermore, the potential strategies of targeting the CCR7 network to regulate dendritic cell migration and to deal with inflammatory diseases are integrated, which not only emphasizes the possibility of CCR7 to be a potential target of immunotherapy but also has an implication on the homing of dendritic cells to benefit inflammatory diseases.

Semaphorins as Potential Immune Therapeutic Targets for Cancer

Semaphorins are a large class of secreted or membrane-bound molecules. It has been reported that semaphorins play important roles in regulating several hallmarks of cancer, including angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion. Semaphorins and their receptors are widely expressed on tumor cells and immune cells. However, the biological role of semaphorins in tumor immune microenvironment is intricate. The dysregulation of semaphorins influences the recruitment and infiltration of immune cells, leading to abnormal anti-tumor effect. Although the underlying mechanisms of semaphorins on regulating tumor-infiltrating immune cell activation and functions are not fully understood, semaphorins can notably be promising immunotherapy targets for cancer.