Publications by authors named "Zhenfang Gao"

We previously reported that Tim-3, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, inhibits MHC-II expression, but the molecular mechanisms involved and the implications for antiviral immunity remain to be determined. Here, we found that during H1N1 infection, Tim-3 inhibits MHC-II expression in macrophages/microglia in vitro. Tim-3 interacts with MHC-II via its intracellular tail and induces proteasomal dependent degradation of MHC-II.

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Introduction: Excessive immune activation induces tissue damage during infection. Compared to external strategies to reconstruct immune homeostasis, host balancing ways remain largely unclear.

Objectives: Here we found a neuroimmune way that prevents infection-induced tissue damage.

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T cell is vital in the adaptive immune system, which relays on T-cell receptor (TCR) to recognize and defend against infection and tumors. T cells are mainly divided into well-known CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which can recognize short peptide antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and MHC class I respectively in humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Due to the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) diversity and restriction with peptides complexation, TCRs are quite diverse and complicated.

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Background: A growing number of studies have found that antidepressants have anti-inflammatory effects while protecting nerves. Hypidone hydrochloride (YL-0919) is a novel highly selective 5-HT reuptake blocker. Our previous studies have demonstrated that YL-0919 exerts notable antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like as well as procognitive effects.

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Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CIPN) is a common side effect of antitumor chemotherapeutic agents. It describes a pathological state of pain related to the cumulative dosage of the drug, significantly limiting the efficacy of antitumor treatment. Sofas strategies alleviating CIPN still lack.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a crucial role in immune response by affecting pain, inflammation, and blood flow, yet its specific mechanisms in this context are still unclear.
  • - In studies with bacterial meningitis models, CGRP reduced harmful cytokine responses, improved bacterial clearance, and lowered death rates in infected mice by changing macrophage behavior.
  • - The research found that CGRP promotes the breakdown of MHC-II proteins in macrophages, inhibiting the activation of CD4+ T-cells, suggesting that enhancing neuroimmune communication could be a new approach to treating brain infections.
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The mechanisms by which retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), a critical RNA virus sensor, is regulated in many biological and pathological processes remain to be determined. Here, we demonstrate that T cell immunoglobulin and mucin protein-3 (Tim-3), an immune checkpoint inhibitor, mediates infection tolerance by suppressing RIG-I-type I interferon pathway. Overexpression or blockade of Tim-3 affects type I interferon expression, virus replication, and tissue damage in mice following H1N1 infection.

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Tim-3, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, is widely expressed on the immune cells and contributes to immune tolerance. However, the mechanisms by which Tim-3 induces immune tolerance remain to be determined. Major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II) plays a key role in antigen presentation and CD4T cell activation.

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Viral encephalitis is the most common cause of encephalitis. It is responsible for high morbidity rates, permanent neurological sequelae, and even high mortality rates. The host immune response plays a critical role in preventing or clearing invading pathogens, especially when effective antiviral treatment is lacking.

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Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) and prednisone are extensively applied in the treatment of kidney disease. Salvianolic acid A (SAA), the major biologically active component of Danshen, which has various biological effects. Our previous findings have demonstrated the renoprotective effect of SAA in various kidney disease rodent models.

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Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the intestines and is difficult to cure once diagnosed. The efficacy of the current clinical treatment for UC is limited. Common anti-inflammatory drugs are prone to adverse effects, while novel biological agents are expensive, although tolerated by patients.

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Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation and leads to an increased risk of colon cancer. There are many studies using phyto-ingredients as a novel approach for the treatment of UC. The plant Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae) is a safe and edible vegetable that has been extensively adopted in traditional Chinese medicine for conditions involving inflammation, and the most active phytochemical agent is andrographolide.

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Renal ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the most common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Peritubular capillary (PTC) endothelium damages are an important pathogenesis during I/R AKI. Salvianolic acid A (SAA) possesses various pharmacological activities.

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