Adenosine A2A receptor activation regulates the M1 macrophages activation to initiate innate and adaptive immunity in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory systemic disease characterized by pro-inflammatory macrophages activation (M1 macrophage) infiltrated in the dermal layer. How M1 macrophage contributes to psoriasis remains unknown. In this study, we found that adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) agonist CGS 21680 HCl alleviated the imiquimod (IMQ) and mouse IL-23 Protein (rmIL-23)-induced psoriasis inflammation through reducing infiltration of M1.

Regulation of the innate immune cells during pregnancy: An immune checkpoint perspective.

The foetus can be regarded as a half-allograft implanted into the maternal body. In a successful pregnancy, the mother does not reject the foetus because of the immune tolerance mechanism at the maternal-foetal interface. The innate immune cells are a large part of the decidual leukocytes contributing significantly to a successful pregnancy.

Decreased nitric oxide content mediated by asymmetrical dimethylarginine and protein l-arginine methyltransferase 3 in macrophages induces trophoblast apoptosis: a potential cause of recurrent miscarriage.

Study Question: Is the protein l-arginine methyltransferase 3 (PRMT3)/asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA)/nitric oxide (NO) pathway involved in the development of recurrent miscarriage (RM), and what is the potential mechanism?

Summary Answer: Elevated levels of PRMT3 and ADMA inhibit NO formation in the decidua, thereby impairing the functions of trophoblast cells at the maternal-foetal interface.

What Is Known Already: Decreased NO bioavailability is associated with RM. ADMA, an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), is derived from the methylation of protein arginine residues by PRMTs and serves as a predictor of mortality in critical illness.

Low chorionic villous succinate accumulation associates with recurrent spontaneous abortion risk.

Dysregulated extravillous trophoblast invasion and proliferation are known to increase the risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA); however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Herein, in our retrospective observational case-control study we show that villous samples from RSA patients, compared to healthy controls, display reduced succinate dehydrogenase complex iron sulfur subunit (SDHB) DNA methylation, elevated SDHB expression, and reduced succinate levels, indicating that low succinate levels correlate with RSA. Moreover, we find high succinate levels in early pregnant women are correlated with successful embryo implantation.

Upregulation of miR-29a suppressed the migration and invasion of trophoblasts by directly targeting LOXL2 in preeclampsia.

Objective: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder that is a major cause of maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality, with a prevalence of 6-8% of pregnancies. Although the downregulation of lysyl oxidase (LOX) and LOX-like protein 2 (LOXL2), which leads to reduced trophoblast cell migration and invasion through activation of the TGF-β1/Smad3/collagen pathway, is relevant to preeclampsia, the mechanisms regulating differences in the gene expression of LOX and LOXL2 in placentas are not yet understood. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms regulating differences in the gene expression of LOX and LOXL2 in placentas.

Antibacterial Potential of Termite-Associated spp.

Twenty-one strains of termite-associated actinomycetes were tested for their activities against three bacteria. The results showed that nine strains showed bacteriostatic activities against at least one tested bacterium, and the actinomycete YH01, which was isolated from the body surface of the queen of , had potent antibacterial activity. The YH01 was further identified as .

Design, synthesis, and biological activity of a novel series of benzofuran derivatives against oestrogen receptor-dependent breast cancer cell lines.

A docking study of a novel series of benzofuran derivatives with ERα was conducted. In this study, we report the synthesis of a novel series of benzofuran derivatives and evaluation of their anticancer activity in vitro against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, as well as their potential toxicity to ER-independent MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, human renal epithelial HEK-293 cells, and human immortal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) by using the MTT colorimetric assay. The screening results indicated that the target compounds exhibited anti-breast cancer activity.

Molecular characteristics and possible functions of innate lymphoid cells in the uterus and gut.

With the discovery of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which are especially enriched in barrier surfaces, the family of innate lymphocytes has grown. A unique characterization of these cells can provide a phenotypical definition of ILCs and their specific functions in different tissue environments. Although ILCs are part of the innate immune system, they are derived from lymphoid lineages lacking rearranged antigen-specific and pattern-recognition receptors.

Trophoblast-derived CXCL12 promotes CD56 CD82 CD29 NK cell enrichment in the decidua.

Problem: Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells play key roles in maternal-fetal immune regulation, trophoblast invasion, and vascular remodeling, and most dNK cell populations are CD56 CD16 NK cells. However, the enrichment and redistribution of dNK cells in the local decidua have not been clarified yet.

Method Of Study: A total of 45 women with normal pregnancies and 8 unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients were included.

MicroRNA-184 promotes apoptosis of trophoblast cells via targeting WIG1 and induces early spontaneous abortion.

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) refers to the unintentional termination of two or more consecutive pregnancies that severely threatens human reproductive health. Our previous study has shown that miR-184 is expressed more highly in RSA than in normal pregnancy, whether in the villus or decidua. In this study, compared with normal pregnant women, the expression of miR-184 in decidual stromal cells (DSCs) and decidual immune cells (DICs), as well as in peripheral blood, from RSA patients was enhanced similarly.

Downregulation of lysyl oxidase and lysyl oxidase-like protein 2 suppressed the migration and invasion of trophoblasts by activating the TGF-β/collagen pathway in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder that is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality with a prevalence of 6-8% of pregnancies. Although impaired trophoblast invasion in early pregnancy is known to be closely associated with preeclampsia, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we revealed that lysyl oxidase (LOX) and LOX-like protein 2 (LOXL2) play a critical role in preeclampsia.

Suppression of autophagy and HCK signaling promotes PTGS2 FCGR3 NK cell differentiation triggered by ectopic endometrial stromal cells.

Unlabelled: Impaired NK cell cytotoxic activity contributes to the local dysfunctional immune environment in endometriosis (EMS), which is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease that affects the function of ectopic endometrial tissue clearance. The reason for the impaired cytotoxic activity of NK cells in an ectopic lesion microenvironment (ELM) is largely unknown. In this study, we show that the macroautophagy/autophagy level of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) from EMS decreased under negative regulation of estrogen.

Trophoblast-Derived CXCL16 Decreased Granzyme B Production of Decidual γδ T Cells and Promoted Bcl-xL Expression of Trophoblasts.

Background: Decidual γδ T cells are known to regulate the function of trophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface; however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of cross talk between trophoblast cells and decidual γδ T cells.

Methods: Expression of chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 6 (CXCL16) and its receptor CXCR6 was evaluated in first-trimester human villus and decidual tissues by immunohistochemistry. γδ T cells were isolated from first-trimester human deciduae and cocultured with JEG3 trophoblast cells.

The ginsenoside PPD exerts anti-endometriosis effects by suppressing estrogen receptor-mediated inhibition of endometrial stromal cell autophagy and NK cell cytotoxicity.

Endometriosis (EMS) is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease with a low autophagy level of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (eESCs). Impaired NK cell cytotoxic activity is involved in the clearance obstruction of the ectopic endometrial tissue in the abdominopelvic cavity. Protopanaxadiol (PPD) and protopanaxatriol (PPT) are two metabolites of ginsenosides, which have profound biological functions, such as anti-cancer activities.

IL-25 promotes Th2 bias by upregulating IL-4 and IL-10 expression of decidual γδT cells in early pregnancy.

Decidual immune cells (DICs), consisting of both innate and adaptive immune cells, have a pivotal role in maintaining immune tolerance for normal pregnancy. Our previous study demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-25 stimulates the proliferation of decidual stromal cells (DSCs) in an autocrine manner. However, the role of IL-25 in functional regulation of DICs is largely unknown.

Crosstalk between human endometrial stromal cells and decidual NK cells promotes decidualization in vitro by upregulating IL‑25.

Embryo implantation is essential for a successful pregnancy, and leads to the decidualization of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. It has previously been demonstrated that decidual stromal cells (DSCs) co‑express interleukin (IL)‑25/IL‑17RB and that IL‑25 further promotes the proliferation of DSCs via activating c‑Jun n‑terminal kinase and protein kinase B signals, therefore the present study primarily focused on the role of IL‑25 in the process of decidualization in vitro. It was demonstrated that the expression of IL‑25/IL‑17RB in ESCs was decreased compared with DSCs.

RANKL-mediated harmonious dialogue between fetus and mother guarantees smooth gestation by inducing decidual M2 macrophage polarization.

Decidual macrophages (dMϕ) contribute to maternal-fetal tolerance. However, the mechanism of dMϕ differentiation during pregnancy is still largely unknown. Here, we report that receptor activator for nuclear factor-κ B ligand (RANKL), secreted by human embryonic trophoblasts and maternal decidual stromal cells (DSCs), polarizes dMϕ toward a M2 phenotype.

Immune Cell Population in Ovarian Tumor Microenvironment.

Ovarian cancer, the third most common with highest mortality rates gynecological malignancy among women in China, is characterized by a unique tumor immune microenvironment. Immune-cell population infiltrated into the tumor tissue among patients with ovarian cancer are associated positively or negatively with antitumor activity. The imbalance between immune activation and immune suppression can result in oncogenesis and cancer progression.

IL‑33 restricts invasion and adhesion of trophoblast cell line JEG3 by downregulation of integrin α4β1 and CD62L.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) promotes migration of cancer cells through downregulating the expression of E-cadherin. Previous studies have demonstrated that IL‑33 stimulates the proliferation of trophoblasts. However, the effect of IL‑33 on the adhesion and invasion of trophoblasts has not been investigated in detail.

IL-27 triggers IL-10 production in Th17 cells via a c-Maf/RORγt/Blimp-1 signal to promote the progression of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease. The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 is also increased in endometriosis. IL-10 production by Th17 cells is critical for limiting autoimmunity and inflammatory responses.

Effects of TSLP on obstetrical and gynecological diseases.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is produced mainly by epithelial cells and was originally found to stimulate the growth and activation of B cells, but it is now shown to function on both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cell lineages. Despite a number of studies focusing on the role of TSLP in Th2 response for allergic disorders, it is becoming increasingly evident that TSLP may also be involved in multiple other disease states. This review will focus on recent advances on the effects of TSLP on obstetrical and gynecological diseases, including pregnancy failure, endometriosis, and cervical cancer.

Phytotoxic, Antifungal and Immunosuppressive Metabolites from Aspergillus terreus QT122 Isolated from the Gut of Dragonfly.

Insect gut microbes have been considered as a resource for bioactive metabolites. The aim of this study was to characterize the compounds of a fungus Aspergillus terreus QT122 associated with the gut of dragonfly. Five main phytotoxic, antifungal, and immunosuppressive substances were isolated from the fungus QT122.

Macrophages promote the growth and invasion of endometrial stromal cells by downregulating IL-24 in endometriosis.

Macrophages play an important role in the origin and development of endometriosis. Estrogen promoted the growth of decidual stromal cells (DSCs) by downregulating the level of interleukin (IL)-24. The aim of this study was to clarify the role and mechanism of IL-24 and its receptors in the regulation of biological functions of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) during endometriosis.

Trade-offs and evolution of thermal adaptation in the Irish potato famine pathogen Phytophthora infestans.

Temperature is one of the most important environmental parameters with crucial impacts on nearly all biological processes. Due to anthropogenic activity, average air temperatures are expected to increase by a few degrees in coming decades, accompanied by an increased occurrence of extreme temperature events. Such global trends are likely to have various major impacts on human society through their influence on natural ecosystems, food production and biotic interactions, including diseases.