scholarly journals Autophagy in endocrine tumors

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. R205-R218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Weckman ◽  
Fabio Rotondo ◽  
Antonio Di Ieva ◽  
Luis V Syro ◽  
Henriett Butz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Efficacy ◽  
Endocrine Tumors ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Endocrine Glands ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Tumor Survival ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Intracellular Process

Autophagy is an important intracellular process involving the degradation of cytoplasmic components. It is involved in both physiological and pathological conditions, including cancer. The role of autophagy in cancer is described as a ‘double-edged sword,’ a term that reflects its known participation in tumor suppression, tumor survival and tumor cell proliferation. Available research regarding autophagy in endocrine cancer supports this concept. Autophagy shows promise as a novel therapeutic target in different types of endocrine cancer, inhibiting or increasing treatment efficacy in a context- and cell-type-dependent manner. At present, however, there is very little research concerning autophagy in endocrine tumors. No research was reported connecting autophagy to some of the tumors of the endocrine glands such as the pancreas and ovary. This review aims to elucidate the roles of autophagy in different types of endocrine cancer and highlight the need for increased research in the field.

scholarly journals The role of astroglia in neuroprotection

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-295 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Ion Homeostasis ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Constant Support ◽  
Brain Homeostasis

Astrocytes are the main neural cell type responsible for the maintenance of brain homeostasis. They form highly organized anatomical domains that are interconnected into extensive networks. These features, along with the expression of a wide array of receptors, transporters, and ion channels, ideally position them to sense and dynamically modulate neuronal activity. Astrocytes cooperate with neurons on several levels, including neurotransmitter trafficking and recycling, ion homeostasis, energy metabolism, and defense against oxidative stress. The critical dependence of neurons upon their constant support confers astrocytes with intrinsic neuroprotective properties which are discussed here. Conversely, pathogenic stimuli may disturb astrocytic function, thus compromising neuronal functionality and viability. Using neuroinflammation, Alzheimer's disease, and hepatic encephalopathy as examples, we discuss how astrocytic defense mechanisms may be overwhelmed in pathological conditions, contributing to disease progression.

scholarly journals Oxidative Stress and the Neurovascular Unit

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 767
Author(s):  
Carmela Rinaldi ◽  
Luigi Donato ◽  
Simona Alibrandi ◽  
Concetta Scimone ◽  
Rosalia D’Angelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Neurovascular Unit ◽  
Brain Cells ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Single Cell Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Brain Homeostasis

The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a relatively recent concept that clearly describes the relationship between brain cells and their blood vessels. The components of the NVU, comprising different types of cells, are so interrelated and associated with each other that they are considered as a single functioning unit. For this reason, even slight disturbances in the NVU could severely affect brain homeostasis and health. In this review, we aim to describe the current state of knowledge concerning the role of oxidative stress on the neurovascular unit and the role of a single cell type in the NVU crosstalk.

scholarly journals Functional Role of Non-Muscle Myosin II in Microglia: An Updated Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6687
Author(s):  
Chiara Porro ◽  
Antonio Pennella ◽  
Maria Antonietta Panaro ◽  
Teresa Trotta
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Muscle Myosin ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Myosins are a remarkable superfamily of actin-based motor proteins that use the energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to translocate actin filaments and to produce force. Myosins are abundant in different types of tissues and involved in a large variety of cellular functions. Several classes of the myosin superfamily are expressed in the nervous system; among them, non-muscle myosin II (NM II) is expressed in both neurons and non-neuronal brain cells, such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, endothelial cells, and microglia. In the nervous system, NM II modulates a variety of functions, such as vesicle transport, phagocytosis, cell migration, cell adhesion and morphology, secretion, transcription, and cytokinesis, as well as playing key roles during brain development, inflammation, repair, and myelination functions. In this review, we will provide a brief overview of recent emerging roles of NM II in resting and activated microglia cells, the principal regulators of immune processes in the central nervous system (CNS) in both physiological and pathological conditions. When stimulated, microglial cells react and produce a number of mediators, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, free radicals, and nitric oxide, that enhance inflammation and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibition of NM II could be a new therapeutic target to treat or to prevent CNS diseases.

scholarly journals A secreted Echinococcus multilocularis activin A homologue promotes regulatory T cell expansion

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Komguep Nono ◽  
Manfred B. Lutz ◽  
Klaus Brehm
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Larval Stage ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Alveolar Echinococcosis ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cell Type

ABSTRACTBackgroundAlveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the metacestode larval stage of the fox-tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is a chronic zoonosis associated with significant modulation of the host immune response. A role of regulatory T-cells (Treg) in generating an immunosuppressive environment around the metacestode during chronic disease has been reported, but the molecular mechanisms of Treg induction by E. multilocularis remain elusive so far.Methodology/Principal findingsWe herein demonstrate that excretory/secretory (E/S) products of the E. multilocularis metacestode promote the formation of Foxp3+ Treg from CD4+ T-cells in vitro in a TGF-β-dependent manner. We also show that host T-cells secrete elevated levels of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 in response to metacestode E/S products. Within the E/S fraction of the metacestode we identified an E. multilocularis activin A homolog (EmACT) that displays significant similarities to mammalian Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β)/activin subfamily members. EmACT obtained from heterologous expression promoted host TGF-β-driven CD4+ Foxp3+ Treg conversion in vitro. Furthermore, like in the case of metacestode E/S products, EmACT-treated CD4+ T-cells secreted higher levels of IL-10. These observations suggest a contribution of EmACT in the in vitro expansion of Foxp3+ Treg by the E. multilocularis metacestode. Using infection experiments we show that intraperitoneally injected metacestode tissue expands host Foxp3+ Treg, confirming the expansion of this cell type in vivo during parasite establishment.Conclusions/SignificanceIn conclusion, we herein show that E. multilocularis larvae secrete a factor with clear structural and functional homologies to mammalian activin A. Like its mammalian homolog, this protein induces the secretion of IL-10 by T-cells and contributes to the expansion of TGF-β-driven Foxp3+ Treg, a cell type that has been reported crucial for generating a tolerogenic environment to support parasite establishment and proliferation.AUTHOR SUMMARYThe metacestode larval stage of the tapeworm E. multilocularis grows infiltratively, like a malignant tumor, within the organs of its human host, thus causing the lethal disease alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Immunosuppression plays an important role in both survival and proliferation of the metacestode, which mainly depends on factors that are released by the parasite. These parasite-derived molecules are potential targets for developing new anti-echinococcosis drugs and/or improving the effectiveness of current therapies. Additionally, an optimized use of such factors could help minimize pathologies resulting from over-reactive immune responses, like allergies and autoimmune diseases. The authors herein demonstrate that the E. multilocularis metacestode releases a protein, EmACT, with significant homology to activin A, a cytokine that might support host TGF-β in its ability to induce the generation of immunosuppressive regulatory T-cells (Treg) in mammals. Like its mammalian counterpart, EmACT was associated with the expansion of TGF-β-induced Treg and stimulated the release of elevated amounts of immunosuppressive IL-10 by CD4+ T-cells. The authors also demonstrate that Treg are locally expanded by the metacestode during an infection of mice. These data confirm an important role of Treg for parasite establishment and growth during AE and suggest a potential role of EmACT in the expansion of these immunosuppressive cells around the parasite.

Neutrophils in cardiovascular disease: warmongers, peacemakers, or both?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopalkrishna Sreejit ◽  
Jillian Johnson ◽  
Robert M Jaggers ◽  
Albert Dahdah ◽  
Andrew J Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Sterile Inflammation ◽  
Immune Memory ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Complex Behaviour ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
A Cell

Abstract Neutrophils, the most abundant of all leucocytes and the first cells to arrive at the sites of sterile inflammation/injury act as a double-edged sword. On one hand, they inflict a significant collateral damage to the tissues and on the other hand, they help facilitate wound healing by a number of mechanisms. Recent studies have drastically changed the perception of neutrophils from being simple one-dimensional cells with an unrestrained mode of action to a cell type that display maturity and complex behaviour. It is now recognized that neutrophils are transcriptionally active and respond to plethora of signals by deploying a wide variety of cargo to influence the activity of other cells in the vicinity. Neutrophils can regulate macrophage behaviour, display innate immune memory, and play a major role in the resolution of inflammation in a context-dependent manner. In this review, we provide an update on the factors that regulate neutrophil production and the emerging dichotomous role of neutrophils in the context of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in atherosclerosis and the ensuing complications, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Deciphering the complex behaviour of neutrophils during inflammation and resolution may provide novel insights and in turn facilitate the development of potential therapeutic strategies to manage cardiovascular disease.

scholarly journals Endocrine Gland-Derived Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/Prokineticin-1 in Cancer Development and Tumor Angiogenesis

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Silvia Corlan ◽  
Anca Maria Cîmpean ◽  
Adriana-Andreea Jitariu ◽  
Eugen Melnic ◽  
Marius Raica
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Endocrine Gland ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Endocrine Glands ◽  
Normal Tissues ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

A lot of data suggests endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) to be restricted to endocrine glands and to some endocrine-dependent organs. Many evidences show that EG-VEGF stimulates angiogenesis and cell proliferation, although it is not a member of the VEGF family. At the time, a lot of data regarding the role of this growth factor in normal development are available. However, controversial results have been published in the case of pathological conditions and particularly in malignant tumors. Thus, our present paper has been focused on the role of EG-VEGF in normal tissues and various malignant tumors and their angiogenic processes.

scholarly journals Propolis and Its Potential to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Mota da Silva ◽  
Priscila de Souza ◽  
Soad K. Al Jaouni ◽  
Steve Harakeh ◽  
Shahram Golbabapour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Aromatic Substance

There are a number of disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Such disorders have become a global emerging disease with a high incidence and prevalence rates worldwide. Inflammatory and ulcerative processes of the stomach or intestines, such as gastritis, ulcers, colitis, and mucositis, afflict a significant proportion of people throughout the world. The role of herbal-derived medicines has been extensively explored in order to develop new effective and safe strategies to improve the available gastrointestinal therapies that are currently used in the clinical practice. Studies on the efficacy of propolis (a unique resinous aromatic substance produced by honeybees from different types of species of plants) are promising and propolis has been effective in the treatment of several pathological conditions. This review, therefore, summarizes and critiques the contents of some relevant published scientific papers (including those related to clinical trials) in order to demonstrate the therapeutic value of propolis and its active compounds in the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.

scholarly journals Characterization of meningeal type 2 innate lymphocytes and their response to CNS injury

2016 ◽  
Vol 214 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachin P. Gadani ◽  
Igor Smirnov ◽  
Ashtyn T. Smith ◽  
Christopher C. Overall ◽  
Jonathan Kipnis
Keyword(s):  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cns Injury ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Meningeal Inflammation ◽  
Type 2 Cytokines ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Innate Lymphocytes

The meningeal space is occupied by a diverse repertoire of immune cells. Central nervous system (CNS) injury elicits a rapid immune response that affects neuronal survival and recovery, but the role of meningeal inflammation remains poorly understood. Here, we describe type 2 innate lymphocytes (ILC2s) as a novel cell type resident in the healthy meninges that are activated after CNS injury. ILC2s are present throughout the naive mouse meninges, though are concentrated around the dural sinuses, and have a unique transcriptional profile. After spinal cord injury (SCI), meningeal ILC2s are activated in an IL-33–dependent manner, producing type 2 cytokines. Using RNAseq, we characterized the gene programs that underlie the ILC2 activation state. Finally, addition of wild-type lung-derived ILC2s into the meningeal space of IL-33R−/− animals partially improves recovery after SCI. These data characterize ILC2s as a novel meningeal cell type that responds to SCI and could lead to new therapeutic insights for neuroinflammatory conditions.

scholarly journals Essential Role of the 14q32 Encoded miRNAs in Endocrine Tumors

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 698
Author(s):  
Lilla Krokker ◽  
Attila Patócs ◽  
Henriett Butz
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Pituitary Adenoma ◽  
Medullary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Endocrine Tumors ◽  
Endocrine Glands ◽  
Adrenocortical Cancer ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
Endocrine Organs ◽  
Mirna Clusters

Background: The 14q32 cluster is among the largest polycistronic miRNA clusters. miRNAs encoded here have been implicated in tumorigenesis of multiple organs including endocrine glands. Methods: Critical review of miRNA studies performed in endocrine tumors have been performed. The potential relevance of 14q32 miRNAs through investigating their targets, and integrating the knowledge provided by literature data and bioinformatics predictions have been indicated. Results: Pituitary adenoma, papillary thyroid cancer and a particular subset of pheochromocytoma and adrenocortical cancer are characterized by the downregulation of miRNAs encoded by the 14q32 cluster. Pancreas neuroendocrine tumors, most of the adrenocortical cancer and medullary thyroid cancer are particularly distinct, as 14q32 miRNAs were overexpressed. In pheochromocytoma and growth-hormone producing pituitary adenoma, however, both increased and decreased expression of 14q32 miRNAs cluster members were observed. In the background of this phenomenon methodological, technical and biological factors are hypothesized and discussed. The functions of 14q32 miRNAs were also revealed by bioinformatics and literature data mining. Conclusions: 14q32 miRNAs have a significant role in the tumorigenesis of endocrine organs. Regarding their stable expression in the circulation of healthy individuals, further investigation of 14q32 miRNAs could provide a potential for use as biomarkers (diagnostic or prognostic) in endocrine neoplasms.

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