The role of cytokine in regulation of the natural killer cell activity

Immune cell landscapes are associated with high-grade serous ovarian cancer survival

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is an aggressive disease known to develop resistance to chemotherapy. We investigated the prognostic significance of tumor cell states and potential mechanisms underlying chemotherapy resistance in HGSOC. Transcriptome deconvolution was performed to address cellular heterogeneity. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to illustrate the outcomes of patients with varying cellular abundances. The association between gene expression and chemotherapy response was tested. After adjusting for surgery status and grading, several cell states exhibited a significant correlation with patient survival. Cell states can organize into carcinoma ecotypes (CE). CE9 and CE10 were proinflammatory, characterized by higher immunoreactivity, and were associated with favorable survival outcomes. Ratios of cell states and ecotypes had better prognostic abilities than a single cell state or ecotype. A total of 1265 differentially expressed genes were identified between samples with high and low levels of C9 or CE10. These genes were partitioned into three co-expressed modules, which were associated with tumor cells and immune cells. Pogz was identified to be linked with immune cell genes and the chemotherapy response of paclitaxel. Collectively, the survival of HGSOC patients is correlated with specific cell states and ecotypes.

Prolonged paradoxical reaction to anti-tuberculous treatment after discontinuation of TNF-alpha- blocker therapy with adalimumab. Rare clinical documentation

In the past decades, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) antagonist has been a milestone in the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. TNF antagonist can increase patients' susceptibility to many different kinds of infections especially those requiring granuloma formations despite regular performance of Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). We report 2 cases of patients who developed tuberculosis under treatment with adalimumab, which was discontinued after the diagnosis of tuberculosis. During the tuberculosis therapy they unexpectedly developed a prolonged paradoxical reaction. In both cases we were only able to manage the progress of the paradoxical reaction through high steroid doses. Patients undergoing therapy with TNF- alpha-blocker are prone to develop tuberculosis infection, which could in turn lead to severe prolonged paradoxical reaction during anti-tuberculous treatment. An increased steroid dose may be required and is sometimes necessary.

The modulation of immunological activities in human NK cells by extracts of ginkgo

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between extracts of ginkgo and the immune system by determining changes in natural killer (NK) cell activity and surface markers in human NK cells and by analyzing for surface markers.

METHODS

Natural killer cell activity was determined in peripheral blood samples of three subjects who received ginkgo daily (250 ml/day; (ginkgo concentration 40 mg/ml) for 14 days by the non-radioisotopic Europium (non-RI Eu) release assay. Peripheral blood samples were taken three times during the study period: before ginkgo sample ingestion, on day 7 after ginkgo ingestion, and on day 14 after ginkgo ingestion). The peripheral blood samples were also analyzed for surface markers (CD56, CD3, CD19, CD20, CD4, CD8) using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACScalibur).

RESULTS

The non-RI Eu release assay revealed that the ingestion of ginkgo extracts elevated NK cell activity in the subjects, with the highest activity recorded following treatment with an extract at a concentration of 400-800 μg/ml. The analysis for surface markers using the FACScalibur showed that the expression of CD56 (NK cell surface marker) was elevated and the expression of CD19 had dropped in our subjects by day 14 of ginkgo ingestion. There was no significant difference in surface markers after 7 days of ginkgo ingestion.

CONCLUSION

Ginkgo extracts were found to affect immunological activities and surface markers (CD56) in human NK cells. Our results also reveal an optimal range of ginkgo concentration-from 400 to 800 μg/ml-within which its immunopotentiating activity is highest. It took at least 2 weeks to affect surface markers in human NK cells after ginkgo ingestion, and surface markers were not affected after 7 days of ginkgo ingestion.