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Journal of Clinical Immunology Oct 2019Regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) play a requisite role in the maintenance of immunological homeostasis and... (Review)
Review
Regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) play a requisite role in the maintenance of immunological homeostasis and prevention of peripheral self-tolerance breakdown. Although Foxp3 by itself is neither necessary nor sufficient to specify many aspects of the Treg cell phenotype, its sustained expression in Treg cells is indispensable for their phenotypic stability, metabolic fitness, and regulatory function. In this review, we summarize recent advances in Treg cell biology, with a particular emphasis on the role of Foxp3 as a transcriptional modulator and metabolic gatekeeper essential to an effective immune regulatory response. We discuss these findings in the context of human inborn errors of immune dysregulation, with a focus on FOXP3 mutations, leading to Treg cell deficiency. We also highlight emerging concepts of therapeutic Treg cell reprogramming to restore tolerance in the settings of immune dysregulatory disorders.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Cell Communication; Cell Differentiation; Cellular Reprogramming; Disease Susceptibility; Energy Metabolism; Forkhead Transcription Factors; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunomodulation; Immunotherapy; Organ Specificity; Phenotype; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
PubMed: 31478130
DOI: 10.1007/s10875-019-00684-7 -
Neuropharmacology Mar 2021Addiction is a chronic brain disease that has dramatic health and socioeconomic consequences worldwide. Multiple approaches have been used for decades to clarify the... (Review)
Review
Addiction is a chronic brain disease that has dramatic health and socioeconomic consequences worldwide. Multiple approaches have been used for decades to clarify the neurobiological basis of this disease and to identify novel potential treatments. This review summarizes the main brain networks involved in the vulnerability to addiction and specific innovative technological approaches to investigate these neural circuits. First, the evolution of the definition of addiction across the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is revised. We next discuss several innovative experimental techniques that, combined with behavioral approaches, have allowed recent critical advances in understanding the neural circuits involved in addiction, including DREADDs, calcium imaging, and electrophysiology. All these techniques have been used to investigate specific neural circuits involved in vulnerability to addiction and have been extremely useful to clarify the neurobiological basis of each specific component of the addictive process. These novel tools targeting specific brain regions are of great interest to further understand the different aspects of this complex disease. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse.'.
Topics: Animals; Behavior, Addictive; Brain; Calcium Signaling; Disease Susceptibility; Electroencephalography; Electrophysiological Phenomena; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Nerve Net; Piperazines
PubMed: 33482225
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108466 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2020Primary antibody deficiencies (PADs) are the most common types of inherited primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) presenting at any age, with a broad spectrum of... (Review)
Review
Primary antibody deficiencies (PADs) are the most common types of inherited primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) presenting at any age, with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations including susceptibility to infections, autoimmunity and cancer. Antibodies are produced by B cells, and consequently, genetic defects affecting B cell development, activation, differentiation or antibody secretion can all lead to PADs. Whole exome and whole genome sequencing approaches have helped identify genetic defects that are involved in the pathogenesis of PADs. Here, we summarize the clinical manifestations, causal genes, disease mechanisms and clinical treatments of different types of PADs.
Topics: Antibodies; B-Lymphocytes; Disease Susceptibility; Humans; Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
PubMed: 32323274
DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-3532-1_10 -
British Journal of Haematology Jan 2022Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by complement-mediated intravascular haemolysis, severe thrombophilia and bone marrow failure. While for... (Review)
Review
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by complement-mediated intravascular haemolysis, severe thrombophilia and bone marrow failure. While for patients with bone marrow failure the treatment follows that of immune-mediated aplastic anaemia, that of classic, haemolytic PNH is based on anti-complement medication. The anti-C5 monoclonal antibody eculizumab has revolutionized treatment, resulting in control of intravascular haemolysis and thromboembolic risk, with improved long-term survival. Novel strategies of complement inhibition are emerging. New anti-C5 agents reproduce the safety and efficacy of eculizumab, with improved patient convenience. Proximal complement inhibitors have been developed to address C3-mediated extra-vascular haemolysis and seem to improve haematological response.
Topics: Algorithms; Clinical Decision-Making; Combined Modality Therapy; Disease Management; Disease Susceptibility; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal; Humans; Phenotype; Prognosis; Standard of Care; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34355382
DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17753 -
Genes Oct 2019The poultry industry currently accounts for the production of around 118 million metric tons of meat and around 74 million metric tons of eggs annually. As the global...
The poultry industry currently accounts for the production of around 118 million metric tons of meat and around 74 million metric tons of eggs annually. As the global population continues to increase, so does our reliance on poultry as a food source. It is therefore of vital importance that we safeguard this valuable resource and make the industry as economically competitive as possible. Avian viral infections, however, continue to cost the poultry industry billions of dollars annually. This can be in terms of vaccination costs, loss of birds and decreased production. With a view to improving the health and welfare of commercial birds and to minimizing associated economic losses, it is therefore of great importance that we try to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying host susceptibility and resilience to some of the major viral pathogens that threaten the poultry species. Some avian viruses, through their zoonotic potential, also pose a risk to human health. This Special Issue will present papers that describe our current knowledge on host responses to various viral pathogens, the genetics underlying those responses and how genomics can begin to provide a solution for resolving the threat posed by these infections.
Topics: Animals; Birds; Disease Susceptibility; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genomics; Influenza in Birds; Poultry; Poultry Diseases; Vaccination
PubMed: 31618995
DOI: 10.3390/genes10100814 -
Current Opinion in Psychology Feb 2024Misinformation poses a significant concern, promoting false beliefs and eroding trust in media. People differ in their susceptibility to believe and to share... (Review)
Review
Misinformation poses a significant concern, promoting false beliefs and eroding trust in media. People differ in their susceptibility to believe and to share misinformation. In this article, we reviewed recent research on relationships between personality traits and belief in and sharing of misinformation. Findings show that more extroverted and less conscientious and agreeable people tend to be more susceptible to believing in and sharing misinformation. Additionally, the Dark Triad personality traits of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism tend to be positively associated with sharing of misinformation, and narcissism and psychopathy are associated with greater belief in misinformation. Understanding these individual differences can inform interventions to reduce the effects of misinformation.
Topics: Humans; Personality; Machiavellianism; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Narcissism; Disease Susceptibility
PubMed: 38065004
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101752 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021
Topics: Alarmins; Animals; Disease Susceptibility; Homeostasis; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Immunity; Plant Diseases; Plant Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 35178047
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.844315 -
Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology :... Mar 2021While clinical characteristics exhibit that susceptibility to COVID-19 infection is equally likely between males and females, clinical outcomes show that males... (Review)
Review
While clinical characteristics exhibit that susceptibility to COVID-19 infection is equally likely between males and females, clinical outcomes show that males experience both a higher severity and fatality for COVID-19 infection than females. This review examines the evidence for these sex and gender differences and aims to illustrate possible mechanisms behind such sensitivity. Successful entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the body is dependent on the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). Thus, sex-based differences in the expression of the ACE2 receptor and TMPRSS2 may explain the disparities in COVID-19 severity and fatality. Furthermore, these disparities may also be attributed to sex-based difference in immunological responses. Finally, the differences in clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infections between men and women may be due to gendered differences in behaviors, such as smoking, and prevalence to comorbidities. An understanding of the sex and gender sensitivities of COVID-19 infection is a necessary component towards the creation of effective treatment options and therapies for the virus. Graphical abstract.
Topics: COVID-19; Disease Susceptibility; Female; Gender Identity; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Male; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 33405098
DOI: 10.1007/s11481-020-09974-z -
Viruses Dec 2020As guest editors, we are pleased to present this Special Issue on endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and their impact on mammalian development and disease [...].
As guest editors, we are pleased to present this Special Issue on endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and their impact on mammalian development and disease [...].
Topics: Animals; Disease Susceptibility; Embryonic Development; Endogenous Retroviruses; Humans
PubMed: 33339171
DOI: 10.3390/v12121446 -
European Review For Medical and... Jul 2021Sepsis is one of the most common complications and causes of death in patients with Alcohol-related Liver Disease. This narrative review will focus on several aspects of... (Review)
Review
Sepsis is one of the most common complications and causes of death in patients with Alcohol-related Liver Disease. This narrative review will focus on several aspects of sepsis in the context of Alcohol-related Liver Disease. The pathophysiology of the increased susceptibility to infections consists mainly of impaired innate and adaptive immunity, changes in gut microbiota with consequent gut translocation of bacteria due to both alcohol abuse and the underlying liver disease. The diagnosis of sepsis in the context of Alcohol-related Liver Disease is challenging. Moreover, the use of classical acute-phase serum proteins (e.g., C-reactive protein and procalcitonin) has several limitations in this setting. The early administration of an adequate antibiotic treatment is pivotal. Finally, measures of infection control and prevention are needed because the prognosis of sepsis in patients affected by Alcohol-related Liver Disease is poor.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; C-Reactive Protein; Disease Susceptibility; Humans; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Procalcitonin; Prognosis; Sepsis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34286499
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202107_26249