The canonical NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) pathway involves a priming step to induce pro-IL-1β followed by a secondary signal such as K efflux to activate inflammasome formation. This then leads to the maturation of IL-1β and the formation of gasdermin D (GSDMD) pores that initiate pyroptosis and mediate IL-1β release. In contrast, primary human monocytes also engage an alternative pathway in response to toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 activation, without the need for a secondary signal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBuruli ulcer (BU), caused by , is a devastating necrotizing skin disease. Key to its pathogenesis is mycolactone, the exotoxin virulence factor that is both immunosuppressive and cytotoxic. The discovery that the essential Sec61 translocon is the major cellular target of mycolactone explains much of the disease pathology, including the immune blockade.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnderstanding others' intentions requires both the identification of social cues (e.g., emotional facial expressions, gaze direction) and the attribution of a mental state to another.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive autoimmune disease that is characterized by inflammation of the synovial joints leading to cartilage and bone damage. The pathogenesis is sustained by the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6, which can be targeted therapeutically to alleviate disease severity. Several innate immune receptors are suggested to contribute to the chronic inflammation in RA, through the production of pro-inflammatory factors in response to endogenous danger signals.
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