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Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Oct 2020One of the main functions of mitochondria is production of ATP for cellular energy needs, however, it becomes more recognized that mitochondria are involved in... (Review)
Review
One of the main functions of mitochondria is production of ATP for cellular energy needs, however, it becomes more recognized that mitochondria are involved in differentiation and activation processes of immune cells. Upon activation, immune cells have a high need for energy. Immune cells have different strategies to generate this energy. In pro-inflammatory cells, such as activated monocytes and activated T and B cells, the energy is generated by increasing glycolysis, while in regulatory cells, such as regulatory T cells or M2 macrophages, energy is generated by increasing mitochondrial function and beta-oxidation. Except for being important for energy supply during activation, mitochondria also induce immune responses. During an infection, they release mitochondrial danger associated molecules (DAMPs) that resemble structures of bacterial derived pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Such mitochondrial DAMPS are for instance mitochondrial DNA with hypomethylated CpG motifs or a specific lipid that is only present in prokaryotic bacteria and mitochondria, i.e. cardiolipin. Via release of such DAMPs, mitochondria guide the immune response towards an inflammatory response against pathogens. This is an important mechanism in early detection of an infection and in stimulating and sustaining immune responses to fight infections. However, mitochondrial DAMPs may also have a negative impact. If mitochondrial DAMPs are released by damaged cells, without the presence of an infection, such as after a trauma, mitochondrial DAMPs may induce an undesired inflammatory response, resulting in tissue damage and organ dysfunction. Thus, immune cells have developed mechanisms to prevent such undesired immune activation by mitochondrial components. In the present narrative review, we will describe the current view of mitochondria in regulation of immune responses. We will also discuss the current knowledge on disturbed mitochondrial function in immune cells in various immunological diseases.
Topics: Animals; Autoimmune Diseases; B-Lymphocytes; DNA, Mitochondrial; Disease; Health; Humans; Immunity; Infections; Inflammation; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Mitochondria; Monocytes; Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 32473386
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165845 -
Nature Reviews. Immunology May 2009Immunological dysregulation is the cause of many non-infectious human diseases such as autoimmunity, allergy and cancer. The gastrointestinal tract is the primary site... (Review)
Review
Immunological dysregulation is the cause of many non-infectious human diseases such as autoimmunity, allergy and cancer. The gastrointestinal tract is the primary site of interaction between the host immune system and microorganisms, both symbiotic and pathogenic. In this Review we discuss findings indicating that developmental aspects of the adaptive immune system are influenced by bacterial colonization of the gut. We also highlight the molecular pathways that mediate host-symbiont interactions that regulate proper immune function. Finally, we present recent evidence to support that disturbances in the bacterial microbiota result in dysregulation of adaptive immune cells, and this may underlie disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease. This raises the possibility that the mammalian immune system, which seems to be designed to control microorganisms, is in fact controlled by microorganisms.
Topics: Animals; Disease; Health; Homeostasis; Humans; Immune System Phenomena; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestines
PubMed: 19343057
DOI: 10.1038/nri2515 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2020Astaxanthin is a natural lipid-soluble and red-orange carotenoid. Due to its strong antioxidant property, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and immune modulation,... (Review)
Review
Astaxanthin is a natural lipid-soluble and red-orange carotenoid. Due to its strong antioxidant property, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and immune modulation, astaxanthin has gained growing interest as a multi-target pharmacological agent against various diseases. In the current review, the anti-inflammation mechanisms of astaxanthin involved in targeting for inflammatory biomarkers and multiple signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, Nrf2, NF-κB, ERK1/2, JNK, p38 MAPK, and JAK-2/STAT-3, have been described. Furthermore, the applications of anti-inflammatory effects of astaxanthin in neurological diseases, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, hepatic and renal diseases, eye and skin disorders, are highlighted. In addition to the protective effects of astaxanthin in various chronic and acute diseases, we also summarize recent advances for the inconsistent roles of astaxanthin in infectious diseases, and give our view that the exact function of astaxanthin in response to different pathogen infection and the potential protective effects of astaxanthin in viral infectious diseases should be important research directions in the future.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Disease; Humans; Inflammation; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 33207669
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225342 -
The Journal of Histochemistry and... Oct 2014Since first described by Paul Ehrlich in 1878, mast cells have been mostly viewed as effectors of allergy. It has been only in the past two decades that mast cells have... (Review)
Review
Since first described by Paul Ehrlich in 1878, mast cells have been mostly viewed as effectors of allergy. It has been only in the past two decades that mast cells have gained recognition for their involvement in other physiological and pathological processes. Mast cells have a widespread distribution and are found predominantly at the interface between the host and the external environment. Mast cell maturation, phenotype and function are a direct consequence of the local microenvironment and have a marked influence on their ability to specifically recognize and respond to various stimuli through the release of an array of biologically active mediators. These features enable mast cells to act as both first responders in harmful situations as well as to respond to changes in their environment by communicating with a variety of other cells implicated in physiological and immunological responses. Therefore, the critical role of mast cells in both innate and adaptive immunity, including immune tolerance, has gained increased prominence. Conversely, mast cell dysfunction has pointed to these cells as the main offenders in several chronic allergic/inflammatory disorders, cancer and autoimmune diseases. This review summarizes the current knowledge of mast cell function in both normal and pathological conditions with regards to their regulation, phenotype and role.
Topics: Animals; Disease; Humans; Mast Cells; Phenotype
PubMed: 25062998
DOI: 10.1369/0022155414545334 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Sepsis is a hyper-heterogeneous syndrome in which the systemic inflammatory response persists throughout the course of the disease and the inflammatory and immune... (Review)
Review
Sepsis is a hyper-heterogeneous syndrome in which the systemic inflammatory response persists throughout the course of the disease and the inflammatory and immune responses are dynamically altered at different pathogenic stages. Gasdermins (GSDMs) proteins are pore-forming executors in the membrane, subsequently mediating the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and inflammatory cell death. With the increasing research on GSDMs proteins and sepsis, it is believed that GSDMs protein are one of the most promising therapeutic targets in sepsis in the future. A more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the functions of GSDMs proteins in sepsis is important to alleviate the multi-organ dysfunction and reduce sepsis-induced mortality. In this review, we focus on the function of GSDMs proteins, the molecular mechanism of GSDMs involved in sepsis, and the regulatory mechanism of GSDMs-mediated signaling pathways, aiming to provide novel ideas and therapeutic strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis.
Topics: Humans; Gasdermins; Sepsis; Cell Death; Inflammation Mediators; Syndrome
PubMed: 38022612
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1203687 -
Clinical Immunology (Orlando, Fla.) Sep 2020The interleukin (IL)-2 - IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) pathway is important in immunity, but is also involved in maintenance of self-tolerance. This paradox is further... (Review)
Review
The interleukin (IL)-2 - IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) pathway is important in immunity, but is also involved in maintenance of self-tolerance. This paradox is further complicated by shedding of the IL-2Rα chain, revealing soluble (s)IL-2R. Binding of IL-2 to sIL-2R may either reduce or enhance responses depending on the target cell being involved in immunity or self-tolerance. Since sIL-2R levels are increasingly measured in clinical practice, it is detrimental for clinical interpretation to understand the possible functional impact of IL-2R shedding. In this review the role of the IL-2 - IL-2R pathway is explored and the conflicting results on the function of sIL-2R are summarized. Finally, the added value of measuring sIL-2R in different types of diseases is being elaborated upon in terms of diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis. Adequate interpretation of results is hampered by the apparent gap in our knowledge about the functional role of sIL-2R in immunity and tolerance.
Topics: Animals; Disease; Health; Humans; Interleukin-2; Receptors, Interleukin-2; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 32619646
DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108515 -
Nature Medicine Jun 2023Alcohol consumption accounts for ~3 million annual deaths worldwide, but uncertainty persists about its relationships with many diseases. We investigated the...
Alcohol consumption accounts for ~3 million annual deaths worldwide, but uncertainty persists about its relationships with many diseases. We investigated the associations of alcohol consumption with 207 diseases in the 12-year China Kadoorie Biobank of >512,000 adults (41% men), including 168,050 genotyped for ALDH2- rs671 and ADH1B- rs1229984 , with >1.1 million ICD-10 coded hospitalized events. At baseline, 33% of men drank alcohol regularly. Among men, alcohol intake was positively associated with 61 diseases, including 33 not defined by the World Health Organization as alcohol-related, such as cataract (n = 2,028; hazard ratio 1.21; 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.33, per 280 g per week) and gout (n = 402; 1.57, 1.33-1.86). Genotype-predicted mean alcohol intake was positively associated with established (n = 28,564; 1.14, 1.09-1.20) and new alcohol-associated (n = 16,138; 1.06, 1.01-1.12) diseases, and with specific diseases such as liver cirrhosis (n = 499; 2.30, 1.58-3.35), stroke (n = 12,176; 1.38, 1.27-1.49) and gout (n = 338; 2.33, 1.49-3.62), but not ischemic heart disease (n = 8,408; 1.04, 0.94-1.14). Among women, 2% drank alcohol resulting in low power to assess associations of self-reported alcohol intake with disease risks, but genetic findings in women suggested the excess male risks were not due to pleiotropic genotypic effects. Among Chinese men, alcohol consumption increased multiple disease risks, highlighting the need to strengthen preventive measures to reduce alcohol intake.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Alcohol Drinking; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial; East Asian People; Ethanol; Genotype; Gout; Risk Factors; Disease; China
PubMed: 37291211
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02383-8 -
Cell Feb 2009Cellular functions depend on numerous protein-coding and noncoding RNAs and the RNA-binding proteins associated with them, which form ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs).... (Review)
Review
Cellular functions depend on numerous protein-coding and noncoding RNAs and the RNA-binding proteins associated with them, which form ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). Mutations that disrupt either the RNA or protein components of RNPs or the factors required for their assembly can be deleterious. Alternative splicing provides cells with an exquisite capacity to fine-tune their transcriptome and proteome in response to cues. Splicing depends on a complex code, numerous RNA-binding proteins, and an enormously intricate network of interactions among them, increasing the opportunity for exposure to mutations and misregulation that cause disease. The discovery of disease-causing mutations in RNAs is yielding a wealth of new therapeutic targets, and the growing understanding of RNA biology and chemistry is providing new RNA-based tools for developing therapeutics.
Topics: Alternative Splicing; Disease; Mutation; RNA; RNA Splicing; Therapeutics
PubMed: 19239895
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.02.011 -
Cells May 2020Mitochondria are subcellular organelles evolved by endosymbiosis of bacteria with eukaryotic cells characteristics. They are the main source of ATP in the cell and play...
Mitochondria are subcellular organelles evolved by endosymbiosis of bacteria with eukaryotic cells characteristics. They are the main source of ATP in the cell and play a pivotal role in cell life and cell death. Mitochondria are engaged in the pathogenesis of human diseases and aging directly or indirectly through a broad range of signaling pathways. However, despite an increased interest in mitochondria over the past decades, the mechanisms of mitochondria-mediated cell/organ dysfunction in response to pathological stimuli remain unknown. The Special Issue, "Mitochondria in Health and Diseases," organized by includes 24 review and original articles that highlight the latest achievements in elucidating the role of mitochondria under physiological (healthy) conditions and, in various cell/animal models of human diseases and, in patients. Altogether, the Special Issue summarizes and discusses different aspects of mitochondrial metabolism and function that open new avenues in understanding mitochondrial biology.
Topics: Animals; Disease; Health; Humans; Mitochondria; Models, Biological; Molecular Targeted Therapy
PubMed: 32397376
DOI: 10.3390/cells9051177 -
Journal of Epidemiology and Global... Dec 2011With growing concerns about international spread of disease and expanding use of early disease detection surveillance methods, the field of syndromic surveillance has... (Review)
Review
With growing concerns about international spread of disease and expanding use of early disease detection surveillance methods, the field of syndromic surveillance has received increased attention over the last decade. The purpose of this article is to clarify the various meanings that have been assigned to the term syndromic surveillance and to propose a refined categorization of the characteristics of these systems. Existing literature and conference proceedings were examined on syndromic surveillance from 1998 to 2010, focusing on low- and middle-income settings. Based on the 36 unique definitions of syndromic surveillance found in the literature, five commonly accepted principles of syndromic surveillance systems were identified, as well as two fundamental categories: specific and non-specific disease detection. Ultimately, the proposed categorization of syndromic surveillance distinguishes between systems that focus on detecting defined syndromes or outcomes of interest and those that aim to uncover non-specific trends that suggest an outbreak may be occurring. By providing an accurate and comprehensive picture of this field's capabilities, and differentiating among system types, a unified understanding of the syndromic surveillance field can be developed, encouraging the adoption, investment in, and implementation of these systems in settings that need bolstered surveillance capacity, particularly low- and middle-income countries.
Topics: Humans; Population Surveillance; Public Health Surveillance; Syndrome
PubMed: 23856373
DOI: 10.1016/j.jegh.2011.06.003