IL-21/23 axis modulates inflammatory cytokines and RANKL expression in RA CD4 T cells via p-Akt1 signaling.

Introduction: CD4 T cells are critically involved in the pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis; an autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation and bone degeneration. In this study, we focused on the critical role of cytokines, IL-21 and IL-23 in facilitating the aberrant status of RA Th17-like cells and report their significant contribution(s) in modulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines and RANKL.

Methods: Blood and synovial fluid collected from a total of 167 RA patients and 25 healthy volunteers were assessed for various inflammatory markers and RANKL expression in plasma and CD4 T cells.

IL-21, Inflammatory Cytokines and Hyperpolarized CD8 T Cells Are Central Players in Lupus Immune Pathology.

Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder, broadly characterized by systemic inflammation along with heterogeneous clinical manifestations, severe morbidity, moribund organ failure and eventual mortality. In our study, SLE patients displayed a higher percentage of activated, inflamed and hyper-polarized CD8 T cells, dysregulated CD8 T cell differentiation, significantly elevated serum inflammatory cytokines and higher accumulation of cellular ROS when compared to healthy controls. Importantly, these hyper-inflammatory/hyper-polarized CD8 T cells responded better to an antioxidant than to an oxidant.

MIF confers survival advantage to pancreatic CAFs by suppressing interferon pathway-induced p53-dependent apoptosis.

The presence of activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) microenvironment plays a significant role in cancer progression. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is overexpressed in PDAC tissues and expressed by both cancer and stromal cells. The pathophysiological role of MIF in PDAC-associated fibroblasts or PSCs is yet to be elucidated.

Proteomic Analysis of the Human Anterior Pituitary Gland.

The pituitary function is regulated by a complex system involving the hypothalamus and biological networks within the pituitary. Although the hormones secreted from the pituitary have been well studied, comprehensive analyses of the pituitary proteome are limited. Pituitary proteomics is a field of postgenomic research that is crucial to understand human health and pituitary diseases.

Inducible Costimulator Expressing T Cells Promote Parasitic Growth During Blood Stage ANKA Infection.

The lethality of blood stage (PbA) infection is associated with the expression of T-bet and production of cytokine IFN-γ. Expression of inducible costimulator (ICOS) and its downstream signaling has been shown to play a critical role in the T-bet expression and IFN-γ production. Although earlier studies have examined the role of ICOS in the control of acute blood-stage infection of AS (a non-lethal model of malaria infection), its significance in the lethal blood-stage of PbA infection remains unclear.