Publications by authors named "Daniel V Lopez"

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) can modulate the intestinal barrier and regulate immune cells to favor the maturation of the infant intestinal tract and immune system, but the precise functions of individual HMOs are unclear. To determine the structure-dependent effects of individual HMOs (representing different structural classes) on the intestinal epithelium as well as innate and adaptive immune cells, we assessed fucosylated (2'FL and 3FL), sialylated (3'SL and 6'SL) and neutral non-fucosylated (LNT and LNT2) HMOs for their ability to support intestinal barrier integrity, to stimulate the secretion of chemokines from intestinal epithelial cells, and to modulate cytokine release from LPS-activated dendritic cells (DCs), M1 macrophages (MØs), and co-cultures with naïve CD4 T cells. The fucosylated and neutral non-fucosylated HMOs increased barrier integrity and protected the barrier following an inflammatory insult but exerted minimal immunomodulatory activity.

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The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) plays a key role in metabolism and is an important therapeutic target in diabetes and obesity. Recent studies in experimental animals have shown that certain subsets of T cells express functional GLP-1R, indicating an immune regulatory role of GLP-1. In contrast, less is known about the expression and function of the GLP-1R in human T cells.

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Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a cytokine mainly produced by T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILC). IL-22 primarily targets non-hematopoietic cells such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts. In the skin, IL-22 promotes the proliferation of keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts.

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has severely impacted daily life all over the world. Any measures to slow down the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to decrease disease severity are highly requested. Recent studies have reported inverse correlations between plasma levels of vitamin D and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity.

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The active form of vitamin D (1,25(OH)D) has a great impact on T cell effector function. Thus, 1,25(OH)D promotes T helper 2 (Th2) and regulatory T (Treg) cell function and concomitantly inhibits Th1 and Th17 cell function. Thus, it is believed that vitamin D exerts anti-inflammatory effects.

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Th22 cells constitute a recently described CD4 T cell subset defined by its production of interleukin (IL)-22. The action of IL-22 is mainly restricted to epithelial cells. IL-22 enhances keratinocyte proliferation but inhibits their differentiation and maturation.

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The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D), mediates its immunomodulatory effects by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Here, we describe a new point mutation in the DNA-binding domain of the VDR and its consequences for 1,25(OH)D signaling in T cells from heterozygous and homozygous carriers of the mutation. The mutation did not affect the overall structure or the ability of the VDR to bind 1,25(OH)D and the retinoid X receptor.

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In addition to antigen-driven signals, T cells need co-stimulatory signals for robust activation. Several receptors, including members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF), can deliver co-stimulatory signals to T cells. Thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) is an important inhibitor of glucose uptake and cell proliferation, but it is unknown how TXNIP is regulated in T cells.

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Article Synopsis
  • Studies indicate that Th1 cells play a key role in fighting TB by producing IFNγ, which is important for macrophage function and controlling the infection, yet vitamin D has often been thought to suppress these immune functions.
  • This study shows that vitamin D doesn't inhibit the development of Th1 cells or their IFNγ production as previously thought; instead, it enhances cathelicidin expression and maintains Th1 responses during TB infection.
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