Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 83 in total

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  1. Brandon-Mong GJ, Che Mat Seri NA, Sharma RS, Andiappan H, Tan TC, Lim YA, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2015;6:143.
    PMID: 25972863 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00143
    A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection and its risk association among people having close contact with animals. A total of 312 blood samples were collected from veterinary personnel (veterinarian, technicians, and students) and pet owners from veterinary clinics and hospitals in the area of Klang Valley, Malaysia. About 4 cc of blood samples drawn from agreed participants were processed for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies as well as avidity test of Toxoplasma IgG by ELISA I, II, and III kits. Meanwhile, the demographic profiles and possible risk factors of these participants were also recorded in the standardized data collection sheets. Overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was observed in 62 (19.9%) participants being 7 (18.4%) in veterinarians, 15 (33.3%) in veterinary technicians, 29 (14.9%) in veterinary students, and 11 (31.4%) in pet owners. Of 19.9% Toxoplasma seropositive samples, 18.3% was positive for IgG antibody, 1.0% for IgM antibody, and 0.6% for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Of three different IgG avidity ELISA kits, ELISA III showed high avidity in all five seropositive samples (IgM and IgG/IgM antibodies) indicating chronic Toxoplasma infection which is consistent with no evidence of clinical toxoplasmosis diagnosed during the time of this study. Univariate analysis showed that age group, gender, study population, gardening, task performance, and working duration were significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity. Further analysis by multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that age group of ≥30 years old (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.18-0.63, p = 0.001) and working or study duration of >10 years having close contact with animals (OR = 5.07, 95% CI = 1.80-14.24, p = 0.002) were identified as significant risks for Toxoplasma infection. Based on the results obtained, a comprehensive Toxoplasma screening and health surveillance program on toxoplasmosis should be implemented among people having close contact with animals in general and confirmed Toxoplasma seronegative individuals in particular to prevent seroconversion.
  2. Paul A, Tang TH, Ng SK
    Front Immunol, 2018;9:1831.
    PMID: 30147694 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01831
    Interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9) is an integral transcription factor in mediating the type I interferon antiviral response, as part of the interferon-stimulated gene factor 3. However, the role of IRF9 in many important non-communicable diseases has just begun to emerge. The duality of IRF9's role in conferring protection but at the same time exacerbates diseases is certainly puzzling. The regulation of IRF9 during these conditions is not well understood. The high homology of IRF9 DNA-binding domain to other IRFs, as well as the recently resolved IRF9 IRF-associated domain structure can provide the necessary insights for progressive inroads on understanding the regulatory mechanism of IRF9. This review sought to outline the structural basis of IRF9 that guides its regulation and interaction in antiviral immunity and other diseases.
  3. Chiang C, Li Y, Ng SK
    Front Immunol, 2020;11:625504.
    PMID: 33613567 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.625504
    Both DNA and RNA can maintain left-handed double helical Z-conformation under physiological condition, but only when stabilized by Z-DNA binding domain (ZDBD). After initial discovery in RNA editing enzyme ADAR1, ZDBD has also been described in pathogen-sensing proteins ZBP1 and PKZ in host, as well as virulence proteins E3L and ORF112 in viruses. The host-virus antagonism immediately highlights the importance of ZDBD in antiviral innate immunity. Furthermore, Z-RNA binding has been shown to be responsible for the localization of these ZDBD-containing proteins to cytoplasmic stress granules that play central role in coordinating cellular response to stresses. This review sought to consolidate current understanding of Z-RNA sensing in innate immunity and implore possible roles of Z-RNA binding within cytoplasmic stress granules.
  4. Yıldırım-Buharalıoğlu G, Bond M, Sala-Newby GB, Hindmarch CC, Newby AC
    Front Immunol, 2017;8:92.
    PMID: 28228757 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00092
    BACKGROUND: Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or interleukin-4 (IL-4) drives widely different transcriptional programs in macrophages. However, how IFN-γ and IL-4 alter expression of histone-modifying enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation and how this affects the resulting phenotypic polarization is incompletely understood.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated steady-state messenger RNA levels of 84 histone-modifying enzymes and related regulators in colony-stimulating factor-1 differentiated primary human macrophages using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. IFN-γ or IL-4 treatment for 6-48 h changed 11 mRNAs significantly. IFN-γ increased CIITA, KDM6B, and NCOA1, and IL-4 also increased KDM6B by 6 h. However, either cytokine decreased AURKB, ESCO2, SETD6, SUV39H1, and WHSC1, whereas IFN-γ alone decreased KAT2A, PRMT7, and SMYD3 mRNAs only after 18 h, which coincided with decreased cell proliferation. Rendering macrophages quiescent by growth factor starvation or adenovirus-mediated overexpression of p27(kip1) inhibited expression of AURKB, ESCO2, SUV39H1, and WHSC1, and mRNA levels were restored by overexpressing the S-phase transcription factor E2F1, implying their expression, at least partly, depended on proliferation. However, CIITA, KDM6B, NCOA1, KAT2A, PRMT7, SETD6, and SMYD3 were regulated independently of effects on proliferation. Silencing KDM6B, the only transcriptional activator upregulated by both IFN-γ and IL-4, pharmacologically or with short hairpin RNA, blunted a subset of responses to each cytokine.

    CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that IFN-γ or IL-4 can regulate the expression of histone acetyl transferases and histone methyl transferases independently of effects on proliferation and that upregulation of the histone demethylase, KDM6B, assists phenotypic polarization by both cytokines.

  5. Abu N, Rus Bakarurraini NAA, Nasir SN
    Front Immunol, 2021;12:740548.
    PMID: 34721407 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.740548
    Certain cancer therapy has been shown to induce immunogenic cell death in cancer cells and may promote tumor progression instead. The external stress or stimuli may induce cell death and contribute toward the secretion of pro inflammatory molecules. The release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) upon induction of therapy or cell death has been shown to induce an inflammatory response. Nevertheless, the mechanism as to how the DAMPs are released and engage in such activity needs further in-depth investigation. Interestingly, some studies have shown that DAMPs can be released through extracellular vesicles (EVs) and can bind to receptors such as toll-like receptors (TCRs). Ample pre-clinical studies have shown that cancer-derived EVs are able to modulate immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. However, the information on the presence of such DAMPs within EVs is still elusive. Therefore, this mini-review attempts to summarize and appraise studies that have shown the presence of DAMPs within cancer-EVs and how it affects the downstream cellular process.
  6. Al-Herz W, Zainal M, Nanda A
    Front Immunol, 2021;12:751469.
    PMID: 34659256 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.751469
    Background and Objectives: Reports on skin manifestations in inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are based on retrospective analysis, small series, or isolated case reports. The present prospective study aimed to determine the spectrum of skin manifestations in children with IEI and their relevance to specific molecular defects.

    Materials and Methods: The data were obtained from the Kuwait National Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders Registry during the period of 2004-2020.

    Results: A total of 313 pediatric cases of IEI, 71% diagnosed at molecular level, were registered with a cumulative follow-up period of 29,734 months. Skin manifestations were seen in 40.3% of the patients, and they were among the presenting manifestations in 33%. Patients with skin manifestations were older at both onset and diagnosis ages of IEI symptoms, but this was statistically significant for the latter only. The diagnosis delay was significantly longer in patients with skin manifestations. There was a statistically significant association between having skin manifestations and IEI category, being more common in patients with complement deficiencies, combined immunodeficiencies, and diseases of immune dysregulation. There was no statistically significant association between having skin manifestations and both gender and survival. Skin infections were the most frequent manifestations followed by eczema and autoimmune associations. Among IEI with more than 10 cases, skin lesions were a consistent finding in dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) deficiency, hyper IgE syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia, and recombination activation gene (RAG)1 deficiency.

    Conclusions: Skin manifestations are common in IEI patients, and they had significant diagnosis delay and referral to specialists. Improvement of awareness about IEI is needed among pediatricians and dermatologists.

  7. Ahmad S, Azid NA, Boer JC, Lim J, Chen X, Plebanski M, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2018;9:2572.
    PMID: 30473698 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02572
    Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which is thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including allergy. TNF is produced at the early stage of allergen sensitization, and then continues to promote the inflammation cascade in the effector phase of allergic reactions. Consequently, anti-TNF treatment has been proposed as a potential therapeutic option. However, recent studies reveal anti-intuitive effects of TNF in the activation and proliferative expansion of immunosuppressive Tregs, tolerogenic DCs and MDSCs. This immunosuppressive effect of TNF is mediated by TNFR2, which is preferentially expressed by immunosuppressive cells. These findings redefine the role of TNF in allergic reaction, and suggest that targeting TNF-TNFR2 interaction itself may represent a novel strategy in the treatment of allergy.
  8. Ripen AM, Chiow MY, Rama Rao PR, Mohamad SB
    Front Immunol, 2021;12:778133.
    PMID: 34804071 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.778133
    Blended phenotypes exhibited by a patient may present a challenge to the establishment of diagnosis. In this study, we report a seven-year-old Murut girl with unusual features of Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS), including recurrent infections and skin abscesses. Considering the possibility of a second genetic disorder, a mutation screening for genes associated with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) was conducted using whole exome sequencing (WES). Analysis of copy number variations (CNVs) from the exome data revealed a 1.53Mb heterozygous deletion on chromosome 7q11.23, corresponding to the known WBS. We also identified a biallelic loss of NCF1, which indicated autosomal recessive chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Dihydrorhodamine (DHR) flow cytometric assay demonstrated abnormally low neutrophil oxidative burst activity. Coamplification of NCF1 and its pseudogenes identified a GT-deletion (ΔGT) at the start of exon 2 in NCF1 (NM_000265.7: c.75_76delGT: p.Tyr26Hisfs*26). Estimation of NCF1-to-NCF1 pseudogenes ratio using ΔGT and 20-bp gene scans affirmed nil copies of NCF1 in the patient. While the father had a normal ratio of 2:4, the mother had a ratio of 1:5, implicating the carrier of ΔGT-containing NCF1. Discovery of a 7q11.23 deletion involving one NCF1 allele and a ΔGT in the second NCF1 allele explained the coexistence of WBS and CGD in our patient. This study highlights the capability of WES to establish a molecular diagnosis for a case with blended phenotypes, enabling the provision of appropriate prophylactic treatment.
  9. Boahen A, Hu D, Adams MJ, Nicholls PK, Greene WK, Ma B
    Front Immunol, 2023;14:1254054.
    PMID: 37767094 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1254054
    The central nervous system (CNS) influences the immune system generally by regulating the systemic concentration of humoral substances (e.g., cortisol and epinephrine), whereas the peripheral nervous system (PNS) communicates specifically with the immune system according to local interactions/connections. An imbalance between the components of the PNS might contribute to pathogenesis and the further development of certain diseases. In this review, we have explored the "thread" (hardwiring) of the connections between the immune system (e.g., primary/secondary/tertiary lymphoid tissues/organs) and PNS (e.g., sensory, sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric nervous systems (ENS)) in health and disease in vitro and in vivo. Neuroimmune cell units provide an anatomical and physiological basis for bidirectional crosstalk between the PNS and the immune system in peripheral tissues, including lymphoid tissues and organs. These neuroimmune interactions/modulation studies might greatly contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms through which the PNS possibly affects cellular and humoral-mediated immune responses or vice versa in health and diseases. Physical, chemical, pharmacological, and other manipulations of these neuroimmune interactions should bring about the development of practical therapeutic applications for certain neurological, neuroimmunological, infectious, inflammatory, and immunological disorders/diseases.
  10. Wang C, Zainal NS, Chai SJ, Dickie J, Gan CP, Zulaziz N, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2021;12:763086.
    PMID: 34733290 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.763086
    HPV-independent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common cancer globally. The overall response rate to anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) in HNSCC is ~16%. One major factor influencing the effectiveness of CPI is the level of tumor infiltrating T cells (TILs). Converting TILlow tumors to TILhigh tumors is thus critical to improve clinical outcome. Here we describe a novel DNA vaccines to facilitate the T-cell infiltration and control tumor growth. We evaluated the expression of target antigens and their respective immunogenicity in HNSCC patients. The efficacy of DNA vaccines targeting two novel antigens were evaluated with or without CPI using a syngeneic model. Most HNSCC patients (43/44) co-expressed MAGED4B and FJX1 and their respective tetramer-specific T cells were in the range of 0.06-0.12%. In a preclinical model, antigen-specific T cells were induced by DNA vaccines and increased T cell infiltration into the tumor, but not MDSC or regulatory T cells. The vaccines inhibited tumor growth and improved the outcome alone and upon combination with anti-PD1 and resulted in tumor clearance in approximately 75% of mice. Pre-existence of MAGED4B and FJX1-reactive T cells in HNSCC patients suggests that these widely expressed antigens are highly immunogenic and could be further expanded by vaccination. The DNA vaccines targeting these antigens induced robust T cell responses and with the anti-PD1 antibody conferring excellent tumor control. This opens up an opportunity for combination immunotherapy that might benefit a wider population of HNSCC patients in an antigen-specific manner.
  11. Han F, Gulam MY, Zheng Y, Zulhaimi NS, Sia WR, He D, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2022;13:985385.
    PMID: 36341446 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.985385
    MAIT cells are persistently depleted and functionally exhausted in HIV-1-infected patients despite long-term combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). IL-7 treatment supports MAIT cell reconstitution in vivo HIV-1-infected individuals and rescues their functionality in vitro. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL-7RA gene modulate the levels of soluble(s)IL-7Rα (sCD127) levels and influence bioavailability of circulating IL-7. Here we evaluate the potential influence of IL-7RA polymorphisms on MAIT cell numbers and function in healthy control (HC) subjects and HIV-1-infected individuals on long-term cART. Our findings indicate that IL-7RA haplotype 2 (H2*T), defined as T-allele carriers at the tagging SNP rs6897932, affects the size of the peripheral blood MAIT cell pool, as well as their production of cytokines and cytolytic effector proteins in response to bacterial stimulation. H2*T carriers had lower sIL-7Rα levels and higher MAIT cell frequency with enhanced functionality linked to higher expression of MAIT cell-associated transcription factors. Despite an average of 7 years on suppressive cART, MAIT cell levels and function in HIV-1-infected individuals were still significantly lower than those of HC. Notably, we observed a significant correlation between MAIT cell levels and cART duration only in HIV-1-infected individuals carrying IL-7RA haplotype 2. Interestingly, treatment with sIL-7Rα in vitro suppressed IL-7-dependent MAIT cell proliferation and function following cognate stimulations. These observations suggest that sIL-7Rα levels may influence MAIT cell numbers and function in vivo by limiting IL-7 bioavailability to MAIT cells. Collectively, these observations suggest that IL-7RA polymorphisms may play a significant role in MAIT cell biology and influence MAIT cells recovery in HIV-1 infection. The potential links between IL7RA polymorphisms, MAIT cell immunobiology, and HIV-1 infection warrant further studies going forward.
  12. Lai JY, Ho JX, Kow ASF, Liang G, Tham CL, Ho YC, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2023;14:1048592.
    PMID: 36911685 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1048592
    Interferons (IFNs) are important in controlling the innate immune response to viral infections. Besides that, studies have found that IFNs also have antimicrobial, antiproliferative/antitumor and immunomodulatory effects. IFNs are divided into Type I, II and III. Type I IFNs, in particular IFN-α, is an approved treatment for hepatitis C. However, patients developed neuropsychological disorders during treatment. IFN-α induces proinflammatory cytokines, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), oxidative and nitrative stress that intensifies the body's inflammatory response in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disease. The severity of the immune response is related to behavioral changes in both animal models and humans. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is important for synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. However, excess ROS will generate highly reactive free radicals which may lead to neuronal damage and neurodegeneration. The limbic system regulates memory and emotional response, damage of neurons in this region is correlated with mood disorders. Due to the drawbacks of the treatment, often patients will not complete the treatment sessions, and this affects their recovery process. However, with proper management, this could be avoided. This review briefly describes the different types of IFNs and its pharmacological and clinical usages and a focus on IFN-α and its implications on depression.
  13. Leung D, Chua GT, Mondragon AV, Zhong Y, Nguyen-Ngoc-Quynh L, Imai K, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2020;11:1605.
    PMID: 32903579 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01605
    Background: The Asia Pacific Society for Immunodeficiencies (APSID) conducted nine primary immunodeficiency (PID) Schools in 5 years since inauguration to provide PID care training for early career physicians in Asia Pacific, a region with divergent needs in PID resources and training. Objective: To identify differences in PID patient care resource and training needs across Asia Pacific and propose a corresponding action plan. Methods: The Human Development Index (HDI) indicates the degree of socio-economic development in each country/region. Information related to investigations and learning issues were extracted from the abstracts and personal statements from all Schools and mapped onto resource and training needs. Correlations between HDI and country/region-specific parameters were tested by two-tailed Pearson correlation. Results: A total of 427 abstracts were received in nine Schools between 2015 and 2020, predominantly on immunodeficiencies affecting cellular and humoral immunity. Genetic confirmation was described in 61.8% of abstracts, and its absence negatively correlated with HDI (r = -0.696, p = 0.004). Essential immunologic and genetic tests were not available in 25.4 and 29.5% of abstracts, respectively, and their absence negatively correlated with HDI (r = -0.788, p < 0.001; r = -0.739, p = 0.002). HDI positively correlated with average testing level (r = 0.742, p = 0.002). Cases from medium-HDI countries/regions focused on learning how to investigate a patient for PIDs in cases of severe or atypical infections, whereas those from very-high-HDI countries/regions, from which most faculty members originated, listed hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy, newborn screening, and research as learning issues more frequently. Conclusion: There are unique HDI-related PID resource and training needs in each country/region. APSID proposes HDI group-specific strategies to improve PID care and education in her member countries/regions. Further quantitative analysis of needs in PID care in Asia Pacific is needed for lobbying governments to increase their support for PID care and research.
  14. Luk ADW, Lee PP, Mao H, Chan KW, Chen XY, Chen TX, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2017;8:808.
    PMID: 28747913 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00808
    BACKGROUND: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is fatal unless treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Delay in diagnosis is common without newborn screening. Family history of infant death due to infection or known SCID (FH) has been associated with earlier diagnosis.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical features that affect age at diagnosis (AD) and time to the diagnosis of SCID.

    METHODS: From 2005 to 2016, 147 SCID patients were referred to the Asian Primary Immunodeficiency Network. Patients with genetic diagnosis, age at presentation (AP), and AD were selected for study.

    RESULTS: A total of 88 different SCID gene mutations were identified in 94 patients, including 49 IL2RG mutations, 12 RAG1 mutations, 8 RAG2 mutations, 7 JAK3 mutations, 4 DCLRE1C mutations, 4 IL7R mutations, 2 RFXANK mutations, and 2 ADA mutations. A total of 29 mutations were previously unreported. Eighty-three of the 94 patients fulfilled the selection criteria. Their median AD was 4 months, and the time to diagnosis was 2 months. The commonest SCID was X-linked (n = 57). A total of 29 patients had a positive FH. Candidiasis (n = 27) and bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine infection (n = 19) were the commonest infections. The median age for candidiasis and BCG infection documented were 3 months and 4 months, respectively. The median absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) was 1.05 × 10(9)/L with over 88% patients below 3 × 10(9)/L. Positive FH was associated with earlier AP by 1 month (p = 0.002) and diagnosis by 2 months (p = 0.008), but not shorter time to diagnosis (p = 0.494). Candidiasis was associated with later AD by 2 months (p = 0.008) and longer time to diagnosis by 0.55 months (p = 0.003). BCG infections were not associated with age or time to diagnosis.

    CONCLUSION: FH was useful to aid earlier diagnosis but was overlooked by clinicians and not by parents. Similarly, typical clinical features of SCID were not recognized by clinicians to shorten the time to diagnosis. We suggest that lymphocyte subset should be performed for any infant with one or more of the following four clinical features: FH, candidiasis, BCG infections, and ALC below 3 × 10(9)/L.

  15. Ellegård R, Khalid M, Svanberg C, Holgersson H, Thorén Y, Wittgren MK, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2018;9:899.
    PMID: 29760706 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00899
    Dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells play critical roles during primary HIV-1 exposure at the mucosa, where the viral particles become coated with complement fragments and mucosa-associated antibodies. The microenvironment together with subsequent interactions between these cells and HIV at the mucosal site of infection will determine the quality of immune response that ensues adaptive activation. Here, we investigated how complement and immunoglobulin opsonization influences the responses triggered in DCs and NK cells, how this affects their cross talk, and what T cell phenotypes are induced to expand following the interaction. Our results showed that DCs exposed to complement-opsonized HIV (C-HIV) were less mature and had a poor ability to trigger IFN-driven NK cell activation. In addition, when the DCs were exposed to C-HIV, the cytotolytic potentials of both NK cells and CD8 T cells were markedly suppressed. The expression of PD-1 as well as co-expression of negative immune checkpoints TIM-3 and LAG-3 on PD-1 positive cells were increased on both CD4 as well as CD8 T cells upon interaction with and priming by NK-DC cross talk cultures exposed to C-HIV. In addition, stimulation by NK-DC cross talk cultures exposed to C-HIV led to the upregulation of CD38, CXCR3, and CCR4 on T cells. Together, the immune modulation induced during the presence of complement on viral surfaces is likely to favor HIV establishment, dissemination, and viral pathogenesis.
  16. Kared H, Martelli S, Tan SW, Simoni Y, Chong ML, Yap SH, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2018;9:686.
    PMID: 29731749 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00686
    Repetitive stimulation by persistent pathogens such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) induces the differentiation of natural killer (NK) cells. This maturation pathway is characterized by the acquisition of phenotypic markers, CD2, CD57, and NKG2C, and effector functions-a process regulated by Tim-3 and orchestrated by a complex network of transcriptional factors, involving T-bet, Eomes, Zeb2, promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein, and Foxo3. Here, we show that persistent immune activation during chronic viral co-infections (HCMV, hepatitis C virus, and HIV) interferes with the functional phenotype of NK cells by modulating the Tim-3 pathway; a decrease in Tim-3 expression combined with the acquisition of inhibitory receptors skewed NK cells toward an exhausted and cytotoxic phenotype in an inflammatory environment during chronic HIV infection. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying NK cell differentiation could aid the identification of new immunological targets for checkpoint blockade therapies in a manner that is relevant to chronic infection and cancer.
  17. Krishna SS, Farhana SA, T P A, Hussain SM, Viswanad V, Nasr MH, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2023;14:1229667.
    PMID: 37744376 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1229667
    The increasing prevalence of food allergies worldwide and the subsequent life-threatening anaphylactic reactions often have sparse treatment options, providing only symptomatic relief. Great strides have been made in research and in clinics in recent years to offer novel therapies for the treatment of allergic disorders. However, current allergen immunotherapy has its own shortcomings in terms of long-term efficacy and safety, due to the local side effects and the possibility of anaphylaxis. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is an established therapy in treating allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis. It acts through the downregulation of T cell, and IgE-mediated reactions, as well as desensitization, a process of food tolerance without any allergic events. This would result in a protective reaction that lasts for approximately 3 years, even after the withdrawal of therapy. Furthermore, allergen-specific immunotherapy also exploits several routes such as oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapy. As the safety and efficacy of allergen immunotherapy are still under research, the exploration of newer routes such as intra-lymphatic immunotherapy would address unfulfilled needs. In addition, the existence of nanoparticles can be exploited immensely in allergen immunotherapy, which would lead to safer and efficacious therapy. This manuscript highlights a novel drug delivery method for allergen-specific immunotherapy that involves the administration of specific allergens to the patients in gradual increasing doses, to induce desensitization and tolerance, as well as emphasizing different routes of administration, mechanism, and the application of nanoparticles in allergen-specific immunotherapy.
  18. Krishna SS, Farhana SA, T P A, Hussain SM, Viswanad V, Nasr MH, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2023;14:1332906.
    PMID: 38124738 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1332906
    [This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1229667.].
  19. Szakmany T, Fitzgerald E, Garlant HN, Whitehouse T, Molnar T, Shah S, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2023;14:1308530.
    PMID: 38332914 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1308530
    INTRODUCTION: Early diagnosis of sepsis and discrimination from SIRS is crucial for clinicians to provide appropriate care, management and treatment to critically ill patients. We describe identification of mRNA biomarkers from peripheral blood leukocytes, able to identify severe, systemic inflammation (irrespective of origin) and differentiate Sepsis from SIRS, in adult patients within a multi-center clinical study.

    METHODS: Participants were recruited in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) from multiple UK hospitals, including fifty-nine patients with abdominal sepsis, eighty-four patients with pulmonary sepsis, forty-two SIRS patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OOHCA), sampled at four time points, in addition to thirty healthy control donors. Multiple clinical parameters were measured, including SOFA score, with many differences observed between SIRS and sepsis groups. Differential gene expression analyses were performed using microarray hybridization and data analyzed using a combination of parametric and non-parametric statistical tools.

    RESULTS: Nineteen high-performance, differentially expressed mRNA biomarkers were identified between control and combined SIRS/Sepsis groups (FC>20.0, p<0.05), termed 'indicators of inflammation' (I°I), including CD177, FAM20A and OLAH. Best-performing minimal signatures e.g. FAM20A/OLAH showed good accuracy for determination of severe, systemic inflammation (AUC>0.99). Twenty entities, termed 'SIRS or Sepsis' (S°S) biomarkers, were differentially expressed between sepsis and SIRS (FC>2·0, p-value<0.05).

    DISCUSSION: The best performing signature for discriminating sepsis from SIRS was CMTM5/CETP/PLA2G7/MIA/MPP3 (AUC=0.9758). The I°I and S°S signatures performed variably in other independent gene expression datasets, this may be due to technical variation in the study/assay platform.

  20. Johdi NA, Ait-Tahar K, Sagap I, Jamal R
    Front Immunol, 2017;8:620.
    PMID: 28611777 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00620
    Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a subset of CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells, play a pivotal role in regulating immune homeostasis. An increase in Tregs was reported in many tumors to be associated with immune suppression and evasion in cancer patients. Despite the importance of Tregs, the molecular signatures that contributed to their pathophysiological relevance remain poorly understood and controversial. In this study, we explored the gene expression profiles in Tregs derived from patients with colorectal cancer [colorectal carcinoma (CRC), n = 15], colorectal polyps (P, n = 15), and in healthy volunteers (N, n = 15). Tregs were analyzed using CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low)FoxP3(+) antibody markers. Gene expression profiling analysis leads to the identification of 61 and 66 immune-related genes in Tregs derived from CRC and P patients, respectively, but not in N-derived Treg samples. Of these, 30 genes were differentially expressed both in CRC- and P-derived Tregs when compared to N-derived Tregs. Most of the identified genes were involved in cytokine/chemokine mediators of inflammation, chemokine receptor, lymphocyte activation, and T cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathways. This study highlights some of the molecular signatures that may affect Tregs' expansion and possible suppression of function in cancer development. Our findings may provide a better understanding of the immunomodulatory nature of Tregs and could, therefore, open up new avenues in immunotherapy.
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