scholarly journals Phagocytosis, Degranulation and Extracellular Traps Release by Neutrophils—The Current Knowledge, Pharmacological Modulation and Future Prospects

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Gierlikowska ◽  
Albert Stachura ◽  
Wojciech Gierlikowski ◽  
Urszula Demkow
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Effector Functions ◽  
Pharmacological Modulation ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
Extracellular Traps

Neutrophils are crucial elements of innate immune system, which assure host defense via a range of effector functions, such as phagocytosis, degranulation, and NET formation. The latest literature clearly indicates that modulation of effector functions of neutrophils may affect the treatment efficacy. Pharmacological modulation may affect molecular mechanisms activating or suppressing phagocytosis, degranulation or NET formation. In this review, we describe the role of neutrophils in physiology and in the course of bacterial and viral infections, illustrating the versatility and plasticity of those cells. This review also focus on the action of plant extracts, plant-derived compounds and synthetic drugs on effector functions of neutrophils. These recent advances in the knowledge can help to devise novel therapeutic approaches via pharmacological modulation of the described processes.

scholarly journals Canonical and Noncanonical Autophagy as Potential Targets for COVID-19

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Bello-Perez ◽  
Isabel Sola ◽  
Beatriz Novoa ◽  
Daniel J. Klionsky ◽  
Alberto Falco
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Interacting Proteins ◽  
Innate Immune Responses ◽  
Molecular Machinery ◽  
Autophagy Pathway

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic necessitates a review of the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular infection by coronaviruses, in order to identify potential therapeutic targets against the associated new disease (COVID-19). Previous studies on its counterparts prove a complex and concomitant interaction between coronaviruses and autophagy. The precise manipulation of this pathway allows these viruses to exploit the autophagy molecular machinery while avoiding its protective apoptotic drift and cellular innate immune responses. In turn, the maneuverability margins of such hijacking appear to be so narrow that the modulation of the autophagy, regardless of whether using inducers or inhibitors (many of which are FDA-approved for the treatment of other diseases), is usually detrimental to viral replication, including SARS-CoV-2. Recent discoveries indicate that these interactions stretch into the still poorly explored noncanonical autophagy pathway, which might play a substantial role in coronavirus replication. Still, some potential therapeutic targets within this pathway, such as RAB9 and its interacting proteins, look promising considering current knowledge. Thus, the combinatory treatment of COVID-19 with drugs affecting both canonical and noncanonical autophagy pathways may be a turning point in the fight against this and other viral infections, which may also imply beneficial prospects of long-term protection.

scholarly journals Start a fire, kill the bug: The role of platelets in inflammation and infection

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 335-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Deppermann ◽  
Paul Kubes
Keyword(s):  
Immune Cells ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Vascular Integrity ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Extracellular Traps

Platelets are the main players in thrombosis and hemostasis; however they also play important roles during inflammation and infection. Through their surface receptors, platelets can directly interact with pathogens and immune cells. Platelets form complexes with neutrophils to modulate their capacities to produce reactive oxygen species or form neutrophil extracellular traps. Furthermore, they release microbicidal factors and cytokines that kill pathogens and influence the immune response, respectively. Platelets also maintain the vascular integrity during inflammation by a mechanism that is different from classical platelet activation. In this review we summarize the current knowledge about how platelets interact with the innate immune system during inflammation and infection and highlight recent advances in the field.

Mesophyll conductance: the leaf corridors for photosynthesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Gago ◽  
Danilo M. Daloso ◽  
Marc Carriquí ◽  
Miquel Nadal ◽  
Melanie Morales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Mesophyll Conductance ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Cell Structures ◽  
Leaf Tissues ◽  
Change Framework ◽  
Chloroplast Stroma

Besides stomata, the photosynthetic CO2 pathway also involves the transport of CO2 from the sub-stomatal air spaces inside to the carboxylation sites in the chloroplast stroma, where Rubisco is located. This pathway is far to be a simple and direct way, formed by series of consecutive barriers that the CO2 should cross to be finally assimilated in photosynthesis, known as the mesophyll conductance (gm). Therefore, the gm reflects the pathway through different air, water and biophysical barriers within the leaf tissues and cell structures. Currently, it is known that gm can impose the same level of limitation (or even higher depending of the conditions) to photosynthesis than the wider known stomata or biochemistry. In this mini-review, we are focused on each of the gm determinants to summarize the current knowledge on the mechanisms driving gm from anatomical to metabolic and biochemical perspectives. Special attention deserve the latest studies demonstrating the importance of the molecular mechanisms driving anatomical traits as cell wall and the chloroplast surface exposed to the mesophyll airspaces (Sc/S) that significantly constrain gm. However, even considering these recent discoveries, still is poorly understood the mechanisms about signaling pathways linking the environment a/biotic stressors with gm responses. Thus, considering the main role of gm as a major driver of the CO2 availability at the carboxylation sites, future studies into these aspects will help us to understand photosynthesis responses in a global change framework.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms of Obesity-Linked Cardiac Dysfunction: An Up-Date on Current Knowledge

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 629
Author(s):  
Jorge Gutiérrez-Cuevas ◽  
Ana Sandoval-Rodriguez ◽  
Alejandra Meza-Rios ◽  
Hugo Christian Monroy-Ramírez ◽  
Marina Galicia-Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
White Adipocyte ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Obesity is defined as excessive body fat accumulation, and worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. Excess of free fatty acids (FFAs) and triglycerides in obese individuals promote ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver, skeletal muscle tissue, and heart, among others, inducing insulin resistance, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes (T2D), atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). These diseases are promoted by visceral white adipocyte tissue (WAT) dysfunction through an increase in pro-inflammatory adipokines, oxidative stress, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), and adverse changes in the gut microbiome. In the heart, obesity and T2D induce changes in substrate utilization, tissue metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation, leading to myocardial fibrosis and ultimately cardiac dysfunction. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are involved in the regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, also improve insulin sensitivity, triglyceride levels, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the molecular mechanisms involved in obesity-linked CVD pathophysiology, considering pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipokines, and hormones, as well as the role of oxidative stress, inflammation, and PPARs. In addition, cell lines and animal models, biomarkers, gut microbiota dysbiosis, epigenetic modifications, and current therapeutic treatments in CVD associated with obesity are outlined in this paper.

scholarly journals The L1-dependant and Pol III transcribed Alu retrotransposon, from its discovery to innate immunity

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 2775-2789
Author(s):  
Ludwig Stenz
Keyword(s):  
Human Genome ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
De Novo Mutation ◽  
Neuronal Diversity ◽  
Alu Sequences ◽  
Pol Iii ◽  
The Brain

AbstractThe 300 bp dimeric repeats digestible by AluI were discovered in 1979. Since then, Alu were involved in the most fundamental epigenetic mechanisms, namely reprogramming, pluripotency, imprinting and mosaicism. These Alu encode a family of retrotransposons transcribed by the RNA Pol III machinery, notably when the cytosines that constitute their sequences are de-methylated. Then, Alu hijack the functions of ORF2 encoded by another transposons named L1 during reverse transcription and integration into new sites. That mechanism functions as a complex genetic parasite able to copy-paste Alu sequences. Doing that, Alu have modified even the size of the human genome, as well as of other primate genomes, during 65 million years of co-evolution. Actually, one germline retro-transposition still occurs each 20 births. Thus, Alu continue to modify our human genome nowadays and were implicated in de novo mutation causing diseases including deletions, duplications and rearrangements. Most recently, retrotransposons were found to trigger neuronal diversity by inducing mosaicism in the brain. Finally, boosted during viral infections, Alu clearly interact with the innate immune system. The purpose of that review is to give a condensed overview of all these major findings that concern the fascinating physiology of Alu from their discovery up to the current knowledge.

scholarly journals Regulatory T Cell-Enhancing Therapies to Treat Atherosclerosis

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 723
Author(s):  
Hafid Ait-Oufella ◽  
Jean-Rémi Lavillegrand ◽  
Alain Tedgui
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Coronary Patients ◽  
Cell Subpopulations ◽  
Atherosclerotic Process ◽  
T Cell Subpopulations ◽  
Disease Analysis

Experimental studies have provided strong evidence that chronic inflammation triggered by the sub-endothelial accumulation of cholesterol-rich lipoproteins in arteries is essential in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Recent clinical trials highlighting the efficacy of anti-inflammatory therapies in coronary patients have confirmed that this is also true in humans Monocytes/macrophages are central cells in the atherosclerotic process, but adaptive immunity, through B and T lymphocytes, as well as dendritic cells, also modulates the progression of the disease. Analysis of the role of different T cell subpopulations in murine models of atherosclerosis identified effector Th1 cells as proatherogenic, whereas regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to protect against atherosclerosis. For these reasons, better understanding of how Tregs influence the atherosclerotic process is believed to provide novel Treg-targeted therapies to combat atherosclerosis. This review article summarizes current knowledge about the role of Tregs in atherosclerosis and discusses ways to enhance their function as novel immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches against cardiovascular disease.

scholarly journals The Role of epigenetic modifications of DNA and histones in the treatment of oncohematological diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-279
Author(s):  
D. V. Karpenko ◽  
N. A. Petinati ◽  
N. J. Drize ◽  
A. E. Bigildeev
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Cytosine Methylation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Hypomethylating Agents ◽  
Epigenetic Change ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Enzymatic Machinery ◽  
Key Pathways ◽  
Dna Cytosine Methylation

Introduction. Current knowledge of tumour biology attests a dual genetic and epigenetic nature of cancer cell abnormalities. Tumour epigenetics research provided insights into the key pathways mediating oncogenesis and facilitated novel epigenetic therapies.Aim — an overview of intricate involvement of epigenetic change in haematological morbidity and current therapeutic approaches to target the related mechanisms.Main findings. We review the best known epigenetic marks in tumour cells, e.g. DNA cytosine methylation, methylation and acetylation of histone proteins, the underlying enzymatic machinery and its role in oncogenesis. The epigenetic profile-changing drugs are described, including DNA hypomethylating agents, histone deacetylase and methylase inhibitors. A particular focus is made on substances currently approved in haematological therapy or undergoing clinical trial phases for future clinical availability.

scholarly journals The Emerging Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Arterial, Venous and Cancer-Associated Thrombosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilu Zhou ◽  
Weimin Tao ◽  
Fuyi Shen ◽  
Weijia Du ◽  
Zhendong Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Extracellular Traps ◽  
Protein Components ◽  
Cancer Associated Thrombosis ◽  
Coagulation Pathway

Neutrophils play a vital role in the formation of arterial, venous and cancer-related thrombosis. Recent studies have shown that in a process known as NETosis, neutrophils release proteins and enzymes complexed to DNA fibers, collectively called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Although NETs were originally described as a way for the host to capture and kill bacteria, current knowledge indicates that NETs also play an important role in thrombosis. According to recent studies, the destruction of vascular microenvironmental homeostasis and excessive NET formation lead to pathological thrombosis. In vitro experiments have found that NETs provide skeletal support for platelets, red blood cells and procoagulant molecules to promote thrombosis. The protein components contained in NETs activate the endogenous coagulation pathway to promote thrombosis. Therefore, NETs play an important role in the formation of arterial thrombosis, venous thrombosis and cancer-related thrombosis. This review will systematically summarize and explain the study of NETs in thrombosis in animal models and in vivo experiments to provide new targets for thrombosis prevention and treatment.

Potential role of viral infections in miscarriage and insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Heydarifard ◽  
Sevrin Zadheidar ◽  
Jila Yavarian ◽  
Somayeh Shatizadeh Malekshahi ◽  
Shirin Kalantari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Viral Infections

Epigenetics

2019 ◽  
pp. 56-70
Author(s):  
Edward Hookway ◽  
Nicholas Athanasou ◽  
Udo Oppermann
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Histone Deacetylases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Tumour Suppressor Genes ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Control Of Gene Expression ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Epigenetic Processes

Epigenetics is a term that refers to a collection of diverse mechanisms that are important in both the control of gene expression and the transmission of this information during cell division. Epigenetic processes are deranged in many cancers, leading to a combination of inappropriate silencing of tumour suppressor genes and overexpression of oncogenes. In this chapter, the molecular mechanisms that underpin the major epigenetic processes of DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs will be described in both their normal physiological roles and in the context of cancer. The challenge of understanding the complexity of the interactions between different epigenetic mechanisms and the limitations of our current knowledge will be highlighted. Therapeutic approaches towards targeting deranged epigenetic processes will also be described, such as the use of small molecule inhibitors of histone deacetylases.

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