Publications by authors named "Rania Najm"

The IFIH1 gene, encoding melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), is an indispensable innate immune regulator involved in the early detection of viral infections. Previous studies described MDA5 dysregulation in weakened immunological responses, and increased susceptibility to microbial infections and autoimmune disorders. Monoallelic gain-of-function of the IFIH1 gene has been associated with multisystem disorders, namely Aicardi-Goutieres and Singleton-Merten syndromes, while biallelic loss causes immunodeficiency.

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Toxoplasmosis is a neglected parasitic disease necessitating public health control. Host cell invasion by occurs at different stages of the parasite's life cycle and is crucial for survival and establishment of infection. In tachyzoites, which are responsible for acute toxoplasmosis, invasion involves the formation of a molecular bridge between the parasite and host cell membranes, referred to as the moving junction (MJ).

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The succinate receptor, SUCNR1, has been attributed to tumor progression, metastasis, and immune response modulation upon its activation via the oncometabolite succinate. Nonetheless, little is known about the prognostic relevance of SUCNR1 and its association with tumor immune infiltrates and microbiota in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Herein, publicly available platforms including Human Protein Atlas, cBioPortal, TIMER2.

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Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasitic eukaryote that evolved to successfully propagate in any nucleated cell. As with any other eukaryote, its life cycle is regulated by signaling pathways controlled by kinases and phosphatases. T.

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Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease, classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most unrestrained diseases. The Syrian war and the significant displacement of refugees aggravated the spread of this ailment into several neighboring countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). In Syria, is identified as one of the most aggressive and endemic identified species, causing localized or generalized lesions, often chronic or relapsing.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The study focused on a specific surface antigen of the parasite, P18, which affects its ability to invade macrophages, and found that a deletion of this gene reduced virulence and increased inflammatory responses in infected mice.
  • * The research suggests that P18 plays a crucial role in how the parasite interacts with the immune system, particularly influencing the response to interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and the transition between dormant and active parasite forms.
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is a prevalent parasite of medical and veterinary importance. Tachyzoïtes and bradyzoïtes are responsible for acute and chronic toxoplasmosis (AT and CT), respectively. In immunocompetent hosts, AT evolves into a persistent CT, which can reactivate in immunocompromised patients with dire consequences.

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Apicomplexa are unicellular eukaryotes and obligate intracellular parasites, including Plasmodium (the causative agent of malaria) and Toxoplasma (one of the most widespread zoonotic pathogens). Rhoptries, one of their specialized secretory organelles, undergo regulated exocytosis during invasion. Rhoptry proteins are injected directly into the host cell to support invasion and subversion of host immune function.

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