Immunometabolism in the Aging Heart.

Structural, functional, and molecular-level changes in the aging heart are influenced by a dynamic interplay between immune signaling and cellular metabolism that is referred to as immunometabolism. This review explores the crosstalk between cellular metabolic pathways including glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, and the immune processes that govern cardiac aging. With a rapidly aging population that coincides with increased cardiovascular risk and cancer incidence rates, understanding the immunometabolic underpinnings of cardiac aging provides a foundation for identifying therapeutic targets to mitigate cardiac dysfunction.

Exploratory Randomised Trial of Tranexamic Acid to Decrease Postoperative Delirium in Adults Undergoing Lumbar Fusion: A trial stopped early.

Background: Postoperative delirium may be mediated by perioperative systemic- and neuro-inflammation. By inhibiting the pro-inflammatory actions of plasmin, tranexamic acid (TXA) may decrease postoperative delirium. To explore this hypothesis, we modified an ongoing randomised trial of TXA, adding measures of postoperative delirium, cognitive function, systemic cytokines, and astrocyte activation.

OMIP-099: 31-color spectral flow cytometry panel to investigate the steady-state phenotype of human T cells.

We have developed a 31-color panel to define the steady-state phenotype of T cells in human peripheral blood (Table 1). The panel presented here was optimized using cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The markers included in this panel were chosen in order to characterize the steady-state phenotype of T cells and includes markers (CD45RA, CD45RO, CCR7, CD95) to distinguish the main subsets (e.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Subacute Inhalation Exposure to Copper Oxide Nanoparticles in House Dust Mite-Induced Asthma.

It has been shown that inhalation exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) results in pulmonary inflammation. However, immunomodulatory consequences after CuO NP inhalation exposure have been less explored. We tested the effect of CuO NP aerosols on immune responses in healthy, house dust mite (HDM) asthmatic, or allergen immunotherapy (AIT)-treated asthmatic mice (BALB/c, females).

GRB2 dimerization mediated by SH2 domain-swapping is critical for T cell signaling and cytokine production.

GRB2 is an adaptor protein required for facilitating cytoplasmic signaling complexes from a wide array of binding partners. GRB2 has been reported to exist in either a monomeric or dimeric state in crystal and solution. GRB2 dimers are formed by the exchange of protein segments between domains, otherwise known as "domain-swapping".

Endogenous SOD2 (Superoxide Dismutase) Regulates Platelet-Dependent Thrombin Generation and Thrombosis During Aging.

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to platelet hyperactivation during aging. Several oxidative pathways and antioxidant enzymes have been implicated; however, their mechanistic contributions during aging remain elusive. We hypothesized that mitochondria are an important source of platelet ROS and that mitochondrial SOD2 (superoxide dismutase) protects against mitochondrial ROS-driven platelet activation and thrombosis during aging.

Pharmacological ascorbate as a novel therapeutic strategy to enhance cancer immunotherapy.

Pharmacological ascorbate (i.e., intravenous infusions of vitamin C reaching ~ 20 mM in plasma) is under active investigation as an adjuvant to standard of care anti-cancer treatments due to its dual redox roles as an antioxidant in normal tissues and as a prooxidant in malignant tissues.

Comparative Study of Bacterial SPOR Domains Identifies Functionally Important Differences in Glycan Binding Affinity.

Bacterial SPOR domains target proteins to the divisome by binding septal peptidoglycan (PG) at sites where cell wall amidases have removed stem peptides. These PG structures are referred to as denuded glycans. Although all characterized SPOR domains bind denuded glycans, whether there are differences in affinity is not known.

Glycerol monolaurate inhibition of human B cell activation.

Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is a naturally occurring antimicrobial agent used commercially in numerous products and food items. GML is also used as a homeopathic agent and is being clinically tested to treat several human diseases. In addition to its anti-microbial function, GML suppresses immune cell proliferation and inhibits primary human T cell activation.

Spermidine reduces neuroinflammation and soluble amyloid beta in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

Background: Deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau along with glial cell-mediated neuroinflammation are prominent pathogenic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In recent years, impairment of autophagy has been identified as another important feature contributing to AD progression. Therefore, the potential of the autophagy activator spermidine, a small body-endogenous polyamine often used as dietary supplement, was assessed on Aβ pathology and glial cell-mediated neuroinflammation.

A Nuclear Belt Fastens on Neural Cell Fate.

Successful embryonic and adult neurogenesis require proliferating neural stem and progenitor cells that are intrinsically and extrinsically guided into a neuronal fate. In turn, migration of new-born neurons underlies the complex cytoarchitecture of the brain. Proliferation and migration are therefore essential for brain development, homeostasis and function in adulthood.

Identification of HCN1 as a 14-3-3 client.

Hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 1 (HCN1) is expressed throughout the nervous system and is critical for regulating neuronal excitability, with mutations being associated with multiple forms of epilepsy. Adaptive modulation of HCN1 has been observed, as has pathogenic dysregulation. While the mechanisms underlying this modulation remain incompletely understood, regulation of HCN1 has been shown to include phosphorylation.

Pharmacological ascorbate improves the response to platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Platinum-based chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) lacking a molecular driver alteration. Pre-clinical studies have reported that pharmacological ascorbate (P-AscH-) enhances NSCLC response to platinum-based therapy. We conducted a phase II clinical trial combining P-AscH- with carboplatin-paclitaxel chemotherapy.

T-Cell Expression of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 and Binding of Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus 2.

The pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is not completely understood. SARS-CoV-2 infection frequently causes significant immune function consequences including reduced T cell numbers and enhanced T cell exhaustion that contribute to disease severity. The extent to which T cell effects are directly mediated through infection or indirectly result from infection of respiratory-associated cells is unclear.

Sepsis leads to lasting changes in phenotype and function of memory CD8 T cells.

The global health burden due to sepsis and the associated cytokine storm is substantial. While early intervention has improved survival during the cytokine storm, those that survive can enter a state of chronic immunoparalysis defined by transient lymphopenia and functional deficits of surviving cells. Memory CD8 T cells provide rapid cytolysis and cytokine production following re-encounter with their cognate antigen to promote long-term immunity, and CD8 T cell impairment due to sepsis can pre-dispose individuals to re-infection.

Improved Method for Efficient Generation of Functional Neurons from Murine Neural Progenitor Cells.

Neuronal culture was used to investigate neuronal function in physiological and pathological conditions. Despite its inevitability, primary neuronal culture remained a gold standard method that requires laborious preparation, intensive training, and animal resources. To circumvent the shortfalls of primary neuronal preparations and efficiently give rise to functional neurons, we combine a neural stem cell culture method with a direct cell type-conversion approach.

Intratumoral talimogene laherparepvec injection with concurrent preoperative radiation in patients with locally advanced soft-tissue sarcoma of the trunk and extremities: phase IB/II trial.

Background: Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) in the extremities and trunk treated with standard-of-care preoperative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) followed by surgical resection are associated with local and distant relapses. In preclinical studies, oncolytic virotherapy in sarcoma has demonstrated antitumor effects via direct intratumoral oncolysis and cytotoxic T-cell-mediated immune responses. Talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC) is a replication-competent, immune-enhanced, oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 engineered for intratumoral injection; it has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic melanoma.

TRAF3 in T Cells Restrains Negative Regulators of LAT to Promote TCR/CD28 Signaling.

The adaptor protein TNFR-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) is required for in vivo T cell effector functions and for normal TCR/CD28 signaling. TRAF3-mediated enhancement of TCR function requires engagement of both CD3 and CD28, but the molecular mechanisms underlying how TRAF3 interacts with and impacts TCR/CD28-mediated complexes to enhance their signaling remains an important knowledge gap. We investigated how TRAF3 is recruited to, and regulates, CD28 as a TCR costimulator.

Suppression of human T cell activation by derivatives of glycerol monolaurate.

Glycerol monolaurate (GML), a naturally occurring monoglyceride, is widely used commercially for its antimicrobial properties. Interestingly, several studies have shown that GML not only has antimicrobial properties but is also an anti-inflammatory agent. GML inhibits peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and inhibits T cell receptor (TCR)-induced signaling events.

The membrane proximal proline-rich region and correct order of C-terminal tyrosines on the adaptor protein LAT are required for TCR-mediated signaling and downstream functions.

The primary activating receptor for T cells is the T cell receptor (TCR), which is stimulated upon binding to an antigen/MHC complex. TCR activation results in the induction of regulated signaling pathways vital for T cell differentiation, cellular adhesion and cytokine release. A critical TCR-induced signaling protein is the adaptor protein LAT.

The Amyloid-beta rich CNS environment alters myeloid cell functionality independent of their origin.

Microglia, the innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) survey their surroundings with their cytoplasmic processes, phagocytose debris and rapidly respond to injury. These functions are affected by the presence of beta-Amyloid (Aβ) deposits, hallmark lesions of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We recently demonstrated that exchanging functionally altered endogenous microglia with peripheral myeloid cells did not change Aβ-burden in a mouse model mimicking aspects of AD at baseline, and only mildly reduced Aβ plaques upon stimulation.

The lipid membrane of HIV-1 stabilizes the viral envelope glycoproteins and modulates their sensitivity to antibody neutralization.

The envelope glycoproteins (Envs) of HIV-1 are embedded in the cholesterol-rich lipid membrane of the virus. Chemical depletion of cholesterol from HIV-1 particles inactivates their infectivity. We observed that diverse HIV-1 strains exhibit a range of sensitivities to such treatment.

High-resolution structure of RGS17 suggests a role for Ca in promoting the GTPase-activating protein activity by RZ subfamily members.

Regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are negative regulators of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling through their ability to act as GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) for activated Gα subunits. Members of the RZ subfamily of RGS proteins bind to activated Gα, Gα, and Gα proteins in the nervous system and thereby inhibit downstream pathways, including those involved in Ca-dependent signaling. In contrast to other RGS proteins, little is known about RZ subfamily structure and regulation.

Beclin1-driven autophagy modulates the inflammatory response of microglia via NLRP3.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized not only by extracellular amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, but also by microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Recently, autophagy has been linked to the regulation of the inflammatory response. Thus, we investigated how an impairment of autophagy mediated by BECN1/Beclin1 reduction, as described in Alzheimer's disease patients, would influence cytokine production of microglia.