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Veterinarni Medicina May 2022The basic information dealing with the anatomy of the ferret's immune system, cross-reactivity of the ferret leukocytes with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies ... (Review)
Review
The basic information dealing with the anatomy of the ferret's immune system, cross-reactivity of the ferret leukocytes with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and immune response to the mitogens and various infections are presented. The leukocyte numbers in the peripheral blood in the ferrets are lower compared to other species and only one subclass of IgG has been identified in ferrets so far. Lymphocytes make up 12-67% of all the leukocytes in the peripheral blood of the healthy adult ferrets. Lymphocyte subpopulations are similar to other mammals and include T- and B-lymphocytes. T-lymphocytes differentiate into helper (Th) lymphocytes and cytotoxic (Tc) lymphocytes. Currently, ferret granulocytes (CD11), B-lymphocytes (CD79α), T-lymphocytes (CD3), Th-lymphocytes (CD3, CD4), Tc-lymphocytes (CD3, CD8), and CD30, CD45 subpopulations are detected with the use of a number of polyclonal as well as with monoclonal antibodies. In a lymphocyte transformation assay, the mitogen response of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells to concanavalin A (ConA), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) is the greatest at day 2, 2 and 3, respectively. Serious lymphopenia is observed in ferrets during a distemper infection. A significant decrease in the lymphocyte transformation activity is observed on day 5 and reaches a maximal decrease on days 8-11, with full recovery on days 23-30 after the inoculation of laboratory ferrets with the distemper virus. Ferrets have also been used in studies related to the function of the immune system in infections, Crohn's disease and bronchial asthma.
PubMed: 38716186
DOI: 10.17221/22/2021-VETMED -
Theranostics 2020Kupffer cells (KCs) play a crucial role in liver immune homeostasis through interacting with other immune cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). However,...
Kupffer cells (KCs) play a crucial role in liver immune homeostasis through interacting with other immune cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). However, how KCs exactly interact with these cells for maintaining the homeostasis still require the further investigation. CXCL10 is a chemokine that has been implicated in chemoattraction of monocytes, T cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells, and promotion of T cell adhesion to endothelial cells. Although CXCL10 is also known to participate in the pathogenesis of hepatic inflammation, the degree to which it is functionally involved in the crosstalk between immune cells and regulation of immune response is still unclear. To dynamically investigate the function of KCs, we used our recently developed rapid cell ablation model, intermedilysin (ILY)/human CD59 (hCD59)-mediated cell ablation tool, to selectively ablate KC pool under normal condition or concanavalin A (Con A)- induced hepatitis. At certain time points after KCs ablation, we performed flow cytometry to monitor the amount of hepatic infiltrating immune cells. mRNA array was used to detect the change of hepatic cytokines and chemokines levels. Cytokines and chemokines in the serum were further measured by LEGENDplex mouse proinflammatory chemokine panel and inflammation panel. Evans blue staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the interaction between KCs and LSECs in steady condition. CXCL10 neutralizing antibody and CXCL10 deficient mouse were used to study the role of CXCL10 in immune cell migration and pathogenesis of Con A-induced hepatitis. At steady state, elimination of KCs results in a reduction of hepatic infiltrating monocytes, T, B, and NK cells and a list of cytokines and chemokines at transcriptional level. In the meantime, the depletion of KCs resulted in increased sinusoidal vascular permeability. In the pathological condition, the KCs elimination rescues Con A-induced acute hepatitis through suppressing proinflammatory immune responses by down-regulation of hepatitis-associated cytokines/chemokines in serum such as CXCL10, and recruitment of infiltrating immune cells (monocytes, T, B, and NK cells). We further documented that deficiency or blockade of CXCL10 attenuated the development of Con A-induced hepatitis associated with reduction of the infiltrating monocytes, especially inflammatory Ly6C monocytes. This study supports the notion that KCs actively interact with immune cells and LSECs for maintaining immune response and liver homeostasis. Our data indicate that the interplay between KCs and infiltrated monocytes via CXCL10 contribute to Con A-induced hepatitis.
Topics: Animals; Capillary Permeability; Cell Communication; Chemokine CXCL10; Concanavalin A; Disease Models, Animal; Endothelial Cells; Endothelium, Vascular; Hepatitis; Hepatitis C; Humans; Kupffer Cells; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Transplantation; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Microvessels; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 32641985
DOI: 10.7150/thno.44960 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2023Epigenome research has employed various methods to identify the genomic location of proteins of interest, such as transcription factors and histone modifications....
Epigenome research has employed various methods to identify the genomic location of proteins of interest, such as transcription factors and histone modifications. CUT&Tag is a recently established method used in epigenome research to determine the genomic location of proteins of interest, such as transcription factors and histone modifications. In CUT&Tag method, cells are bound and hold on concanavalin A (con A)-coated magnetic beads, then a Protein-A Tn5 transposase fusion protein cuts the genome and inserts adapter sequences nearby the target protein. Here we describe the updated CUT&Tag procedure using "home-made" con A-conjugated magnetic beads. This method is free of poor suspendability and severe aggregation, hence providing improved sensitivity.
Topics: Concanavalin A; Genome; Histone Code; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 36066719
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2433-3_16 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023The understanding of the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) has evolved alongside the characterization of cytokines and chemokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)...
INTRODUCTION
The understanding of the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) has evolved alongside the characterization of cytokines and chemokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. However, the complex interplay of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in different body fluids in people with MS (pwMS) and their association with disease progression is still not well understood and needs further investigation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to profile a total of 65 cytokines, chemokines, and related molecules in paired serum and CSF samples of pwMS at disease onset.
METHODS
Multiplex bead-based assays were performed and baseline routine laboratory diagnostics, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and clinical characteristics were assessed. Of 44 participants included, 40 had a relapsing-remitting disease course and four a primary progressive MS.
RESULTS
There were 29 cytokines and chemokines that were significantly higher in CSF and 15 in serum. Statistically significant associations with moderate effect sizes were found for 34 of 65 analytes with sex, age, CSF, and MRI parameters and disease progression.
DISCUSSION
In conclusion, this study provides data on the distribution of 65 different cytokines, chemokines, and related molecules in CSF and serum in newly diagnosed pwMS.
Topics: Humans; Cytokines; Multiple Sclerosis; Chemokines; Body Fluids; Disease Progression; Pokeweed Mitogens
PubMed: 37383229
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1200146 -
Pharmaceutical Biology Dec 2022-Propargyl-cysteine (SPRC), an endogenous HS modulator, exerts anti-inflammatory effects on cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease, but it remains unknown whether...
CONTEXT
-Propargyl-cysteine (SPRC), an endogenous HS modulator, exerts anti-inflammatory effects on cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease, but it remains unknown whether SPRC can prevent autoimmune hepatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the preventive effect of SPRC on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced liver injury and uncover the underlying mechanisms.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Mice were randomly divided into five groups: control, Con A, SPRC (5 and 10 mg/kg injected intravenously once a day for 7 days), and propargylglycine (PAG; 50 mg/kg injected intraperitoneally 0.5 h before SPRC for 7 days). All mice except the controls were intravenously injected with Con A (20 mg/kg) on day 7. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were evaluated using kits. Inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ) in the blood and in the liver were detected by ELISA Kit and real-time PCR, respectively. The expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins (p-JNK and p-Akt) and apoptosis proteins (Bax and Bcl-2) was detected using western blotting.
RESULTS
SPRC reduced the levels of AST ( < 0.05) and ALT ( < 0.01) and decreased the release of the inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, SPRC increased HS level ( < 0.05) and promoted cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) expression ( < 0.05). SPRC inhibited the MAPK pathway activation and the apoptosis pathway. All the effects of SPRC were blocked by the CSE inhibitor PAG.
CONCLUSIONS
SPRC prevents Con A-induced liver injury in mice by promoting CSE expression and producing endogenous HS. The mechanisms include reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines, attenuating MAPK pathway activation, and alleviating apoptosis.
Topics: Animals; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic; Concanavalin A; Cysteine; Cytokines; Hydrogen Sulfide; Mice; Neurodegenerative Diseases
PubMed: 35701112
DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2080234 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2022Forkhead box O transcription factors (FoxOs) play an important role in maintaining normal cell physiology by regulating survival, apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress,... (Review)
Review
Forkhead box O transcription factors (FoxOs) play an important role in maintaining normal cell physiology by regulating survival, apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress, the development and maturation of T and B lymphocytes, and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Cell types whose functions are regulated by FoxOs include keratinocytes, mucosal dermis, neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, tumor-infiltrating activated regulatory T (Tregs) cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. FoxOs plays a crucial role in physiological and pathological immune responses. FoxOs control the development and function of Foxp3+ Tregs. Treg cells and Th17 cells are subsets of CD4+ T cells, which play an essential role in immune homeostasis and infection. Dysregulation of the Th17/Treg cell balance has been implicated in the development and progression of several disorders, such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. In addition, FoxOs are stimulated by the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway and inhibited by the PI3 kinase/AKT pathway. Downstream target genes of FoxOs include pro-inflammatory signaling molecules (toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4, interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), chemokine receptors (CCR7 and CXCR2), B-cell regulators (APRIL and BLYS), T-regulatory modulators (Foxp3 and CTLA-4), and DNA repair enzymes (GADD45α). Here, we review the recent progress in our understanding of FoxOs as the key molecules involved in immune cell differentiation and its role in the initiation of autoimmune diseases caused by dysregulation of immune cell balance. Additionally, in various diseases, FoxOs act as a cancer repressor, and reviving the activity of FoxOs forces Tregs to egress from various tissues. However, FoxOs regulate the cytotoxicity of both CD8+ T and NK cells against tumor cells, aiding in the restoration of redox and inflammatory homeostasis, repair of the damaged tissue, and activation of immune cells. A better understanding of FoxOs regulation may help develop novel potential therapeutics for treating immune/oxidative stress-related diseases.
Topics: Autoimmune Diseases; CTLA-4 Antigen; Cytokines; Forkhead Transcription Factors; Humans; Interleukins; Mitogens; Neoplasms; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Receptors, CCR7; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Toll-Like Receptor 4; Tumor Necrosis Factors
PubMed: 36233176
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911877 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Oct 2020Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) Is a critical protein in vertebrate development, orchestrating patterning and growth in many developing systems. First described as a classic... (Review)
Review
Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) Is a critical protein in vertebrate development, orchestrating patterning and growth in many developing systems. First described as a classic morphogen that patterns tissues through a spatial concentration gradient, subsequent studies have revealed a more complex mechanism, in which Shh can also regulate proliferation and differentiation. While the mechanism of action of Shh as a morphogen is well understood, it remains less clear how Shh might integrate patterning, proliferation and differentiation in a given tissue, to ultimately direct its morphogenesis. In tandem with experimental studies, mathematical modelling can help gain mechanistic insights into these processes and bridge the gap between Shh-regulated patterning and growth, by integrating these processes into a common theoretical framework. Here, we briefly review the roles of Shh in vertebrate development, focusing on its functions as a morphogen, mitogen and regulator of differentiation. We then discuss the contributions that modelling has made to our understanding of the action of Shh and highlight current challenges in using mathematical models in a quantitative and predictive way. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Contemporary morphogenesis'.
Topics: Animals; Hedgehog Proteins; Mitogens; Models, Biological; Morphogenesis; Vertebrates
PubMed: 32829689
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0660 -
Cancers Mar 2024Pancreatic cancer is characterized by fibrosis/desmoplasia in the tumor microenvironment, which is primarily mediated by pancreatic stellate cells and cancer-associated... (Review)
Review
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by fibrosis/desmoplasia in the tumor microenvironment, which is primarily mediated by pancreatic stellate cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts. HGF/c-MET signaling, which is instrumental in embryonic development and wound healing, is also implicated for its mitogenic and motogenic properties. In pancreatic cancer, this pathway, along with its downstream signaling pathways, is associated with disease progression, prognosis, metastasis, chemoresistance, and other tumor-related factors. Other features of the microenvironment in pancreatic cancer with the HGF/c-MET pathway include hypoxia, angiogenesis, metastasis, and the urokinase plasminogen activator positive feed-forward loop. All these attributes critically influence the initiation, progression, and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, targeting the HGF/c-MET signaling pathway appears promising for the development of innovative drugs for pancreatic cancer treatment. One of the primary downstream effects of c-MET activation is the MAPK/ERK (Ras, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK) signaling cascade, and MEK (Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase) inhibitors have demonstrated therapeutic value in RAS-mutant melanoma and lung cancer. Trametinib is a selective MEK1 and MEK2 inhibitor, and it has evolved as a pivotal therapeutic agent targeting the MAPK/ERK pathway in various malignancies, including BRAF-mutated melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer and thyroid cancer. The drug's effectiveness increases when combined with agents like BRAF inhibitors. However, resistance remains a challenge, necessitating ongoing research to counteract the resistance mechanisms. This review offers an in-depth exploration of the HGF/c-MET signaling pathway, trametinib's mechanism, clinical applications, combination strategies, and future directions in the context of pancreatic cancer.
PubMed: 38473413
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051056 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Apr 2021In the past three decades, several recent studies have analyzed the alarming increase of obesity worldwide, and it has been well established that the risk of many types... (Review)
Review
In the past three decades, several recent studies have analyzed the alarming increase of obesity worldwide, and it has been well established that the risk of many types of malignancies is increased in obese individuals; in the same period, thyroid cancer has become the fastest growing cancer of all malignancies. We investigated the current literature to underline the presence of a connection between excess body weight or Body Mass Index (BMI) and risk of thyroid cancer. Previous studies stated that the contraposition between adipocytes and adipose-resident immune cells enhances immune cell production of multiple pro-inflammatory factors with subsequent induction of hyperlipidemia and vascular injury; these factors are all associated with oxidative stress and cancer development and/or progression. Moreover, recent studies made clear the mitogenic and tumorigenic action of insulin, carried out through the stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase/AKT (PI3K/AKT) pathways, which is correlated to the hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia found in obese population. Our findings suggest that obesity and excess body weight are related to an increased risk of thyroid cancer and that the mechanisms that combine overweight with this cancer should be searched for in the adipokine pathways and chronic inflammation onset.
PubMed: 33925549
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10091894 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2023The regulation of protein kinases by dephosphorylation is a key mechanism that defines the activity of immune cells. A balanced process of the... (Review)
Review
The regulation of protein kinases by dephosphorylation is a key mechanism that defines the activity of immune cells. A balanced process of the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of key protein kinases by dual-specificity phosphatases is required for the realization of the antitumor immune response. The family of dual-specificity phosphatases is represented by several isoforms found in both resting and activated macrophages. The main substrate of dual-specificity phosphatases are three components of mitogen-activated kinase signaling cascades: the extracellular signal-regulated kinase ERK1/2, p38, and Janus kinase family. The results of the study of model tumor-associated macrophages supported the assumption of the crucial role of dual-specificity phosphatases in the formation and determination of the outcome of the immune response against tumor cells through the selective suppression of mitogen-activated kinase signaling cascades. Since mitogen-activated kinases mostly activate the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and the antitumor function of macrophages, the excess activity of dual-specificity phosphatases suppresses the ability of tumor-associated macrophages to activate the antitumor immune response. Nowadays, the fundamental research in tumor immunology is focused on the search for novel molecular targets to activate the antitumor immune response. However, to date, dual-specificity phosphatases received limited discussion as key targets of the immune system to activate the antitumor immune response. This review discusses the importance of dual-specificity phosphatases as key regulators of the tumor-associated macrophage function.
Topics: Dual-Specificity Phosphatases; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; Tumor-Associated Macrophages; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; Mitogens; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinases; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1
PubMed: 38139370
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417542