scholarly journals Lung Interstitial Macrophages: Past, Present, and Future

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joey Schyns ◽  
Fabrice Bureau ◽  
Thomas Marichal

For a long time, investigations about the lung myeloid compartment have been mainly limited to the macrophages located within the airways, that is, the well-known alveolar macrophages specialized in recycling of surfactant molecules and removal of debris. However, a growing number of reports have highlighted the complexity of the lung myeloid compartment, which also encompass different subsets of dendritic cells, tissue monocytes, and nonalveolar macrophages, called interstitial macrophages (IM). Recent evidence supports that, in mice, IM perform important immune functions, including the maintenance of lung homeostasis and prevention of immune-mediated allergic airway inflammation. In this article, we describe lung IM from a historical perspective and we review current knowledge on their characteristics, ontogeny, and functions, mostly in rodents. Finally, we emphasize some important future challenges for the field.

2007 ◽  
Vol 362 (1486) ◽  
pp. 1727-1739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricard V Solé ◽  
Andreea Munteanu ◽  
Carlos Rodriguez-Caso ◽  
Javier Macía

Cells are the building blocks of biological complexity. They are complex systems sustained by the coordinated cooperative dynamics of several biochemical networks. Their replication, adaptation and computational features emerge as a consequence of appropriate molecular feedbacks that somehow define what life is. As the last decades have brought the transition from the description-driven biology to the synthesis-driven biology, one great challenge shared by both the fields of bioengineering and the origin of life is to find the appropriate conditions under which living cellular structures can effectively emerge and persist. Here, we review current knowledge (both theoretical and experimental) on possible scenarios of artificial cell design and their future challenges.


This lecture is an attempt to review current knowledge about certain terrestrial phenomena with the twofold purpose: ( a ) to discover the extent to which the behaviour of the Earth may be influenced by fluctuations in its astronomical environment, ( b ) to see if new knowledge of that environment may be gained from its influence on the Earth. Fluctuations in geomagnetism, climate, glaciation, biological extinctions, etc., are surveyed with special regard to datings and characteristic time-intervals; correlations between such fluctuations are discussed. Astronomical phenomena, within the Solar System and elsewhere in the Galaxy, that might cause terrestrial effects are reviewed. As regards astronomical effects on Earth: (i) There is a good case - not yet overwhelming - for the currently widely accepted view that fluctuations of glaciation within an ice-epoch result from changes of insolation accompanying fluctuations of the Earth’s motion relative to the Sun. Some evidence suggests that an ice-epoch may be triggered by variations of the astronomical environment encountered in the Sun’s motion relative to the Galaxy; but tectonic changes on Earth may be the main trigger. (ii) Impacts of planetesimals may be more important than hitherto recognized. Among astronomical results regarding the Sun, while the intensity of solar ‘activity’ is variable, terrestrial effects provide no confirmation that the Sun is a ‘variable star’. Regarding the Galaxy, impacting planetesimals may originate in interstellar clouds, and so provide on Earth samples of interstellar matter. Some unsolved problems emphasized by the review are listed; certain concepts that would call for consideration in any extended review are mentioned.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5259
Author(s):  
Lucille Lamendour ◽  
Nora Deluce-Kakwata-Nkor ◽  
Caroline Mouline ◽  
Valérie Gouilleux-Gruart ◽  
Florence Velge-Roussel

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in immunity and are highly potent at presenting antigens and orienting the immune response. Depending on the environmental signals, DCs could turn the immune response toward immunity or immune tolerance. Several subsets of DCs have been described, with each expressing various surface receptors and all participating in DC-associated immune functions according to their specific skills. DC subsets could also contribute to the vicious circle of inflammation in immune diseases and establishment of immune tolerance in cancer. They appear to be appropriate targets in the control of inflammatory diseases or regulation of autoimmune responses. For all these reasons, in situ DC targeting with therapeutic antibodies seems to be a suitable way of modulating the entire immune system. At present, the field of antibody-based therapies has mainly been developed in oncology, but it is undergoing remarkable expansion thanks to a wide variety of antibody formats and their related functions. Moreover, current knowledge of DC biology may open new avenues for targeting and modulating the different DC subsets. Based on an update of pathogen recognition receptor expression profiles in human DC subsets, this review evaluates the possibility of inducing tolerant DCs using antibody-based therapeutic agents.


Author(s):  
Thea Magrone ◽  
Manrico Magrone ◽  
Matteo Antonio Russo ◽  
Emilio Jirillo

Background: Platelets are cellular fragments derived from bone-marrow megacaryocytes and they are mostly involved in haemostasis and coagulation. However, according to recent data, platelets are able to perform novel immune functions. In fact, they possess a receptorial armamentarium on their membrane for interacting with innate and adaptive immune cells. In addition, platelets also secrete granules which contain cytokines and chemokines for activating and recruiting even distant immune cells. Objectives: The participation of platelets in inflammatory processes will be discussed also in view of their dual role in terms of triggering or resolving inflammation. Involvement of platelets in disease will be illustrated, pointing to their versatile function to either up- or down-regulate pathological mechanisms. Finally, despite the availability of some anti-platelet agents, such as aspirin, dietary manipulation of platelet function is currently investigated. In this regard, special emphasis will be placed on dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and polyphenol effects on platelets. Conclusion: Platelets play a dual role in inflammatory-immune-mediated diseases either activating or deactivating immune cells. Diet based on substances, such as omega-3 PUFAs and polyphenols, may act as a modulator of platelet function, even if more clinical trials are needed to corroborate such a contention.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Daisuke Tokuhara ◽  
Norikatsu Hikita

Neonates and infants are particularly susceptible to infections, for which outcomes tend to be severe. Vaccination is a key strategy for preventing infectious diseases, but the protective immunity achieved through vaccination typically is weaker in infants than in healthy adults. One possible explanation for the poor acquisition of vaccine-induced immunity in infants is that their innate immune response, represented by toll-like receptors, is immature. The current system for developing pediatric vaccines relies on the confirmation of their safety and effectiveness in studies involving the use of mature animals or adult humans. However, creating vaccines for neonates and infants requires an understanding of their uniquely immature innate immunity. Here we review current knowledge regarding the innate immune system of neonates and infants and challenges in developing vaccine adjuvants for those children through analyses of cord blood.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 2213
Author(s):  
Natalia Diaz-Garrido ◽  
Cecilia Cordero ◽  
Yenifer Olivo-Martinez ◽  
Josefa Badia ◽  
Laura Baldomà

Communication between cells is crucial to preserve body homeostasis and health. Tightly controlled intercellular dialog is particularly relevant in the gut, where cells of the intestinal mucosa are constantly exposed to millions of microbes that have great impact on intestinal homeostasis by controlling barrier and immune functions. Recent knowledge involves extracellular vesicles (EVs) as mediators of such communication by transferring messenger bioactive molecules including proteins, lipids, and miRNAs between cells and tissues. The specific functions of EVs principally depend on the internal cargo, which upon delivery to target cells trigger signal events that modulate cellular functions. The vesicular cargo is greatly influenced by genetic, pathological, and environmental factors. This finding provides the basis for investigating potential clinical applications of EVs as therapeutic targets or diagnostic biomarkers. Here, we review current knowledge on the biogenesis and cargo composition of EVs in general terms. We then focus the attention to EVs released by cells of the intestinal mucosa and their impact on intestinal homeostasis in health and disease. We specifically highlight their role on epithelial barrier integrity, wound healing of epithelial cells, immunity, and microbiota shaping. Microbiota-derived EVs are not reviewed here.


1983 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 399-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Halliday ◽  
Arthur A. Griffin ◽  
Alan T. Blackwell

Camera networks for the study of bright fireballs now have a history approaching two decades• It was hoped that the networks would produce a statistically significant group of recovered meteorites with accurate orbits. Due to the great difficulty in locating the meteorites from a photographed event, there are still only three meteorites with orbits determined from suitable photographs; Pribram, Lost City and Innisfree (Ceplecha I96I, McCrosky et al. 1971, Halliday et al. 1978, respectively). Networks do, however, provide an alternative approach to the problem. Instead of determining approximate orbits from visual observations of recovered meteorite falls, it is now preferable to use reliable orbits from the camera networks for fireballs which are believed to have dropped meteorites that could not be located, or, that are believed to have been physically identical to meteorites, although no appreciable mass survived the atmospheric flight. This paper will review current knowledge based on this approach to the problem.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Mega ◽  
Edite Teixeira-de-Lemos ◽  
Rosa Fernandes ◽  
Flávio Reis

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is now the single commonest cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide and one of the main causes of death in diabetic patients. It is also acknowledged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since sitagliptin was approved, many studies have been carried out revealing its ability to not only improve metabolic control but also ameliorate dysfunction in various diabetes-targeted organs, especially the kidney, due to putative underlying cytoprotective properties, namely, its antiapoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties. Despite overall recommendations, many patients spend a long time well outside the recommended glycaemic range and, therefore, have an increased risk for developing micro- and macrovascular complications. Currently, it is becoming clearer that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management must envision not only the improvement in glycaemic control but also, and particularly, the prevention of pancreatic deterioration and the evolution of complications, such as DN. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge in the field of renoprotective actions of sitagliptin, namely, improvement in diabetic dysmetabolism, hemodynamic factors, renal function, diabetic kidney lesions, and cytoprotective properties.


Allergy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 921-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Dong ◽  
C. K. Wong ◽  
Z. Cai ◽  
D. Jiao ◽  
M. Chu ◽  
...  

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