Differential contributions of fetal mononuclear phagocytes to Zika virus neuroinvasion versus neuroprotection during congenital infection.

Fetal immune cell functions during congenital infections are poorly understood. Zika virus (ZIKV) can vertically transmit from mother to fetus, causing nervous system infection and congenital ZIKV syndrome (CZS). We identified differential functional roles for fetal monocyte/macrophage cell types and microglia in ZIKV dissemination versus clearance using mouse models.

Clinical and functional assessment of SARS-CoV-2 sequelae among young marines - a panel study.

Background: Long-term SARS-CoV-2 adverse health outcomes are of significant concern, especially among young adults with the potential for the greatest long-term morbidity. We sought to assess and characterize these outcomes in a cohort of Marines.

Methods: We used a cohort of US Marines from a previous longitudinal, prospective observational study of acute SARS-CoV-2, most of whom were enrolled prior to infection.

Anti-integrin αvβ6 Autoantibodies are Increased in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Patients With Concomitant Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Correlate With Liver Disease Severity.

Background & Aims: Anti-integrin αvβ6 autoantibodies (anti-αvβ6) are found in more than 50% of individuals with ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-αvβ6 in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and their association with liver disease severity.

Methods: Four cohorts of pre-liver transplant patients with PSC were recruited.

The HLA-B -21 M/T dimorphism associates with disease severity in COVID-19.

Host genetics shape immune responses and influence severity of infectious diseases. The HLA-B -21 M/T dimorphism tunes the functionality of natural killer (NK) cells expressing the inhibitory receptor NKG2A. NKG2A NK cells have been reported to recognize SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, but it remains unclear whether the HLA-B -21 M/T dimorphism associates with COVID-19 severity.

Ovarian cancer-derived IL-4 promotes immunotherapy resistance.

Ovarian cancer is resistant to immunotherapy, and this is influenced by the immunosuppressed tumor microenvironment (TME) dominated by macrophages. Resistance is also affected by intratumoral heterogeneity, whose development is poorly understood. To identify regulators of ovarian cancer immunity, we employed a spatial functional genomics screen (Perturb-map), focused on receptor/ligands hypothesized to be involved in tumor-macrophage communication.

HIF1α-regulated glycolysis promotes activation-induced cell death and IFN-γ induction in hypoxic T cells.

Hypoxia is a common feature in various pathophysiological contexts, including tumor microenvironment, and IFN-γ is instrumental for anti-tumor immunity. HIF1α has long been known as a primary regulator of cellular adaptive responses to hypoxia, but its role in IFN-γ induction in hypoxic T cells is unknown. Here, we show that the HIF1α-glycolysis axis controls IFN-γ induction in both human and mouse T cells, activated under hypoxia.

Longitudinal transcriptional changes reveal genes from the natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity pathway as critical players underlying COVID-19 progression.

Patients present a wide range of clinical severities in response severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, but the underlying molecular and cellular reasons why clinical outcomes vary so greatly within the population remains unknown. Here, we report that negative clinical outcomes in severely ill patients were associated with divergent RNA transcriptome profiles in peripheral immune cells compared with mild cases during the first weeks after disease onset. Protein-protein interaction analysis indicated that early-responding cytotoxic natural killer cells were associated with an effective clearance of the virus and a less severe outcome.

Gastrointestinal germinal center B cell depletion and reduction in IgA plasma cells in HIV-1 infection.

Gastrointestinal (GI) B cells and plasma cells (PCs) are critical to mucosal homeostasis and the host response to HIV-1 infection. Here, high-resolution mapping of human B cells and PCs sampled from the colon and ileum during both viremic and suppressed HIV-1 infection identified a reduction in germinal center (GC) B cells and follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) during HIV-1 viremia. Immunoglobulin A-positive (IgA) PCs are the major cellular output of intestinal GCs and were significantly reduced during viremic HIV-1 infection.

Comparative Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles from Cytotoxic CD8 αβ T Cells and γδ T Cells.

Background: Although belonging to different branches of the immune system, cytotoxic CD8 αβ T cells and γδ T cells utilize common cytolytic effectors including FasL, granzymes, perforin and granulysin. The effector proteins are stored in different subsets of lysosome-related effector vesicles (LREVs) and released to the immunological synapse upon target cell encounter. Notably, in activated cells, LREVs and potentially other vesicles are continuously produced and released as extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Inhibition of viability of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells by vialinin A under high glucose condition.

Aim: To investigate the effects of vialinin A on viability of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) under high glucose condition and its potential mechanism.

Methods: The HRECs were divided into four groups: normal glucose control group (NG, 5 mmol/L D-glucose), high glucose group (HG, 30 mmol/L D-glucose), HG+1 µmol/L vialinin A group, and HG+5 µmol/L vialinin A group. The cell viabilities were measured with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for proliferation, with scratch assay for migration, and tube formation, for evaluation of the impact of vialinin A on cellular behaviour.

The peripheral neuroimmune system.

Historically, the nervous and immune systems were studied as separate entities. The nervous system relays signals between the body and the brain by processing sensory inputs and executing motor outputs, whereas the immune system provides protection against injury and infection through inflammation. However, recent developments have demonstrated that these systems mount tightly integrated responses.

Developing functional hydrogels for treatment of oral diseases.

Oral disease is a severe healthcare challenge that diminishes people's quality of life. Functional hydrogels with suitable biodegradability, biocompatibility, and tunable mechanical properties have attracted remarkable interest and have been developed for treating oral diseases. In this review, we present up-to-date research on hydrogels for the management of dental caries, endodontics, periapical periodontitis, and periodontitis, depending on the progression of dental diseases.

Nomogram for prediction of severe postoperative complications in elective hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery after COVID-19 breakthrough infection: A large multicenter study.

Background: Currently, there is a deficiency in a strong risk prediction framework for precisely evaluating the likelihood of severe postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery subsequent to experiencing breakthrough infection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to find factors predicting postoperative complications and construct an innovative nomogram to pinpoint patients who were susceptible to developing severe complications following breakthrough infection of COVID-19 after undergoing elective hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients who underwent elective hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeries between January 3 and April 1, 2023 from four hospitals in China.

Immunometabolic Rewiring: A Tale of Macronutrients and Macrophages.

Myeloid cells, including monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and polymorphonuclear cells are key components of homeostasis maintenance and immune response. Among the myeloid lineage, macrophages stand out as highly versatile cells that safeguard tissue functions but also sense and respond to potentially harmful microenvironmental cues. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the nutritional status and macronutrient availability affect macrophage identity and function.