scholarly journals Hide-and-Seek: A Game Played between Parasitic Protists and Their Hosts

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2434
Author(s):  
Iva Kolářová ◽  
Andrea Valigurová
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Host Organism ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Tight Contact ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Gain Access

After invading the host organism, a battle occurs between the parasitic protists and the host’s immune system, the result of which determines not only whether and how well the host survives and recovers, but also the fate of the parasite itself. The exact weaponry of this battle depends, among others, on the parasite localisation. While some parasitic protists do not invade the host cell at all (extracellular parasites), others have developed successful intracellular lifestyles (intracellular parasites) or attack only the surface of the host cell (epicellular parasites). Epicellular and intracellular protist parasites have developed various mechanisms to hijack host cell functions to escape cellular defences and immune responses, and, finally, to gain access to host nutrients. They use various evasion tactics to secure the tight contact with the host cell and the direct nutrient supply. This review focuses on the adaptations and evasion strategies of parasitic protists on the example of two very successful parasites of medical significance, Cryptosporidium and Leishmania, while discussing different localisation (epicellular vs. intracellular) with respect to the host cell.

scholarly journals From infection to cancer: how DNA tumour viruses alter host cell central carbon and lipid metabolism

Open Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamini L. Magon ◽  
Joanna L. Parish
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Central Carbon ◽  
Epstein Barr

Infections cause 13% of all cancers globally, and DNA tumour viruses account for almost 60% of these cancers. All viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and hijack host cell functions to replicate and complete their life cycles to produce progeny virions. While many aspects of viral manipulation of host cells have been studied, how DNA tumour viruses manipulate host cell metabolism and whether metabolic alterations in the virus life cycle contribute to carcinogenesis are not well understood. In this review, we compare the differences in central carbon and fatty acid metabolism in host cells following infection, oncogenic transformation, and virus-driven cancer of DNA tumour viruses including: Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis B virus, human papillomavirus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and Merkel cell polyomavirus.

scholarly journals Phthiocerol dimycocerosates from Mycobacterium tuberculosis increase the membrane activity of bacterial effectors and host receptors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Augenstreich ◽  
Evert Haanappel ◽  
Fadel Sayes ◽  
Roxane Simeone ◽  
Valérie Guillet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Lipid Organization ◽  
Complement Receptor 3 ◽  
Bacterial Effectors ◽  
Polarity Sensitive ◽  
Phthiocerol Dimycocerosates

AbstractMycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) synthesizes a variety of atypical lipids that are exposed at the cell surface and help the bacterium infect macrophages and escape elimination by the cell’s immune responses. In the present study, we investigate the mechanism of action of one family of hydrophobic lipids, the phthiocerol dimycocerosates (DIM/PDIM), major lipid virulence factors. DIM are transferred from the envelope of Mtb to host membranes during infection. Using the polarity-sensitive fluorophore C-Laurdan, we visualized that DIM increase the membrane polarity of a supported lipid bilayer put in contact with mycobacteria, even beyond the site of contact. We observed that DIM activate the complement receptor 3, a predominant receptor for phagocytosis of Mtb by macrophages. DIM also increased the activity of membrane-permeabilizing effectors of Mtb, among which the virulence factor EsxA. This is consistent with previous observations that DIM help Mtb disrupt host cell membranes. Taken together, our data show that transferred DIM spread within the target membrane, remodel lipid organization and increase the activity of host cell receptors and bacterial effectors, diverting in a nonspecific manner host cell functions. We therefore bring new insight into the molecular mechanisms by which DIM increase Mtb’s capability to escape the cell’s immune responses.

scholarly journals Diet-Regulating Microbiota and Host Immune System in Liver Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6326
Author(s):  
Jung A. Eom ◽  
Goohyun Kwon ◽  
Nayeon Kim ◽  
Eunju Park ◽  
Sungmin Won ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Chronic Liver Disease ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Control Of Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Intestinal Immune System

The gut microbiota has been known to modulate the immune responses in chronic liver diseases. Recent evidence suggests that effects of dietary foods on health care and human diseases are related to both the immune reaction and the microbiome. The gut-microbiome and intestinal immune system play a central role in the control of bacterial translocation-induced liver disease. Dysbiosis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, translocation, endotoxemia, and the direct effects of metabolites are the main events in the gut-liver axis, and immune responses act on every pathways of chronic liver disease. Microbiome-derived metabolites or bacteria themselves regulate immune cell functions such as recognition or activation of receptors, the control of gene expression by epigenetic change, activation of immune cells, and the integration of cellular metabolism. Here, we reviewed recent reports about the immunologic role of gut microbiotas in liver disease, highlighting the role of diet in chronic liver disease.

scholarly journals Selenium, Selenoproteins, and Immunity

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Avery ◽  
Peter Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Experimental Systems ◽  
Physiological Processes

Selenium is an essential micronutrient that plays a crucial role in development and a wide variety of physiological processes including effect immune responses. The immune system relies on adequate dietary selenium intake and this nutrient exerts its biological effects mostly through its incorporation into selenoproteins. The selenoproteome contains 25 members in humans that exhibit a wide variety of functions. The development of high-throughput omic approaches and novel bioinformatics tools has led to new insights regarding the effects of selenium and selenoproteins in human immuno-biology. Equally important are the innovative experimental systems that have emerged to interrogate molecular mechanisms underlying those effects. This review presents a summary of the current understanding of the role of selenium and selenoproteins in regulating immune cell functions and how dysregulation of these processes may lead to inflammation or immune-related diseases.

scholarly journals Unique Endomembrane Systems and Virulence in Pathogenic Protozoa

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 822
Author(s):  
Mark F. Wiser
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Erythrocyte Membrane ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Tissue Invasion ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Broad Overview

Virulence in pathogenic protozoa is often tied to secretory processes such as the expression of adhesins on parasite surfaces or the secretion of proteases to assisted in tissue invasion and other proteins to avoid the immune system. This review is a broad overview of the endomembrane systems of pathogenic protozoa with a focus on Giardia, Trichomonas, Entamoeba, kinetoplastids, and apicomplexans. The focus is on unique features of these protozoa and how these features relate to virulence. In general, the basic elements of the endocytic and exocytic pathways are present in all protozoa. Some of these elements, especially the endosomal compartments, have been repurposed by the various species and quite often the repurposing is associated with virulence. The Apicomplexa exhibit the most unique endomembrane systems. This includes unique secretory organelles that play a central role in interactions between parasite and host and are involved in the invasion of host cells. Furthermore, as intracellular parasites, the apicomplexans extensively modify their host cells through the secretion of proteins and other material into the host cell. This includes a unique targeting motif for proteins destined for the host cell. Most notable among the apicomplexans is the malaria parasite, which extensively modifies and exports numerous proteins into the host erythrocyte. These modifications of the host erythrocyte include the formation of unique membranes and structures in the host erythrocyte cytoplasm and on the erythrocyte membrane. The transport of parasite proteins to the host erythrocyte involves several unique mechanisms and components, as well as the generation of compartments within the erythrocyte that participate in extraparasite trafficking.

scholarly journals Effects of age on immune function in broiler chickens

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bochen Song ◽  
Dazhi Tang ◽  
Shaojia Yan ◽  
Hao Fan ◽  
Guang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Cellular Immunity ◽  
Mucosal Immunity ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Cell Ratio ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Ifn Γ

Abstract Background There are many diseases in poultry, many of which are caused by poor immune function. It is not clear how cytokines and various immune cell functions change with age in modern broilers. The purpose of this study was to explore the patterns of development of the immunity of the broiler chickens in cage. Results The results showed that there were 3 development patterns of immunity in the broiler chickens. The first pattern was Down-Up. Cytokines and some immune indicators first decreased and then increased, and the lowest levels of immunity basically occurred from d 6 to 13. The second pattern was Up-Down, and from d 30 to 34, the highest levels of non-specific cellular immunity components, such as the peripheral blood mononuclear macrophage ratio, specific cellular immunity components, such as the peripheral blood helper T (Th) cell ratio and T cell and B cell proliferation activity, and mucosal immunity components, such as the ileal CD4, TGF-β1 and IgA mRNA levels, were observed. The third pattern was Up-Up, and the levels of the non-specific cellular immunity components, such as the serum nitric oxide (NO), C3 and C4 levels, the specific cellular immunity components, such as the spleen index, peripheral blood IL-2, IFN-γ/IL-4, cytotoxic T (Tc) cell ratio, and splenic NF-κB mRNA levels, the humoral immunity components, such as the serum IgG level, the mucosal immunity components, such as the ileal MHC-II, CD3d, TCRβ subunit, TCRζ subunit, IFN-γ, pIgR mRNA and ileal mucosa sIgA levels, were continuing to increase from d 1 to 34. Conclusions It could be concluded that the immune system and its function have not developed well in the broiler chickens d 6 to 13 and that the immune system does not mature until d 30 to 34 in the broiler chickens in cages. It is necessary to enhance the immune function of the broiler chickens through nutritional measures from d 1 to 30.

scholarly journals The immune response of T cells and therapeutic targets related to regulating the levels of T helper cells after ischaemic stroke

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian-Yu Lei ◽  
Ying-Ze Ye ◽  
Xi-Qun Zhu ◽  
Daniel Smerin ◽  
Li-Juan Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Ischaemic Stroke ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Vital Functions ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

AbstractThrough considerable effort in research and clinical studies, the immune system has been identified as a participant in the onset and progression of brain injury after ischaemic stroke. Due to the involvement of all types of immune cells, the roles of the immune system in stroke pathology and associated effects are complicated. Past research concentrated on the functions of monocytes and neutrophils in the pathogenesis of ischaemic stroke and tried to demonstrate the mechanisms of tissue injury and protection involving these immune cells. Within the past several years, an increasing number of studies have elucidated the vital functions of T cells in the innate and adaptive immune responses in both the acute and chronic phases of ischaemic stroke. Recently, the phenotypes of T cells with proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory function have been demonstrated in detail. T cells with distinctive phenotypes can also influence cerebral inflammation through various pathways, such as regulating the immune response, interacting with brain-resident immune cells and modulating neurogenesis and angiogenesis during different phases following stroke. In view of the limited treatment options available following stroke other than tissue plasminogen activator therapy, understanding the function of immune responses, especially T cell responses, in the post-stroke recovery period can provide a new therapeutic direction. Here, we discuss the different functions and temporal evolution of T cells with different phenotypes during the acute and chronic phases of ischaemic stroke. We suggest that modulating the balance between the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions of T cells with distinct phenotypes may become a potential therapeutic approach that reduces the mortality and improves the functional outcomes and prognosis of patients suffering from ischaemic stroke.

Mathematical Interpretation of the Pharmacodynamics of Homoeopathic Medicines

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (01) ◽  
pp. 003-016
Author(s):  
John Michel Warner
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Force Line ◽  
Administration Routes ◽  
Medicinal Substances ◽  
Medicine Administration

AbstractAccording to Hahnemann, homoeopathic medicines must be great immune responses inducers. In crude states, these medicines pose severe threats to the immune system. So, the immune-system of an organism backfires against the molecules of the medicinal substances. The complex immune response mechanism activated by the medicinal molecules can handle any threats which are similar to the threats posed by the medicinal molecules. The intersectional operation of the two sets, medicine-induced immune responses and immune responses necessary to cure diseases, shows that any effective homoeopathic medicine, which is effective against any disease, can induce immune responses which are necessary to cure the specific disease. In this article, this mechanism has been exemplified by the action of Silicea in human body. Also, a neuroimmunological assessment of the route of medicine administration shows that the oral cavity and the nasal cavity are two administration-routes where the smallest doses (sometimes even few molecules) of a particular homoeopathic medicine induce the most effective and sufficient (in amount) purgatory immune responses. Administering the smallest unitary doses of Silicea in the oral route can make significant changes in the vital force line on the dose–response relationship graph. The dose–response relationship graph further implicates that the most effective dose of a medicine must be below the lethality threshold. If multiple doses of any medicine are administered at same intervals, the immune-system primarily engages with the medicinal molecules; but along the passage of time, the engagement line splits into two: one engages with the medicinal molecules and another engages with diseases. The immune system's engagement with the diseases increases along the passage of time, though the engagement with the medicinal molecules gradually falls with the administration of descending doses. Necessarily, I have shown through mathematical logic that the descending doses, though they seem to be funny, can effectively induce the most effective immune responses.

scholarly journals Why Does SARS-CoV-2 Infection Induce Autoantibody Production?

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 380
Author(s):  
Ales Macela ◽  
Klara Kubelkova
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cell Interaction ◽  
Immune Recognition ◽  
Autoantibody Production ◽  
Host Cell Interaction ◽  
Primary Virus

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces the production of autoantibodies, which is significantly associated with complications during hospitalization and a more severe prognosis in COVID-19 patients. Such a response of the patient’s immune system may reflect (1) the dysregulation of the immune response or (2) it may be an attempt to regulate itself in situations where the non-infectious self poses a greater threat than the infectious non-self. Of significance may be the primary virus-host cell interaction where the surface-bound ACE2 ectoenzyme plays a critical role. Here, we present a brief analysis of recent findings concerning the immune recognition of SARS-CoV-2, which, we believe, favors the second possibility as the underlying reason for the production of autoantibodies during COVID-19.

scholarly journals TolC-Dependent Modulation of Host Cell Death by the Francisella tularensis Live Vaccine Strain

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 2068-2078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Doyle ◽  
Ji-An Pan ◽  
Patricio Mena ◽  
Wei-Xing Zong ◽  
David G. Thanassi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Francisella Tularensis ◽  
Vaccine Strain ◽  
Live Vaccine ◽  
Live Vaccine Strain ◽  
Type I ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Host Cell Death

ABSTRACTFrancisella tularensisis a facultative intracellular, Gram-negative pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia. We previously identified TolC as a virulence factor of theF. tularensislive vaccine strain (LVS) and demonstrated that a ΔtolCmutant exhibits increased cytotoxicity toward host cells and elicits increased proinflammatory responses compared to those of the wild-type (WT) strain. TolC is the outer membrane channel component used by the type I secretion pathway to export toxins and other bacterial virulence factors. Here, we show that the LVS delays activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in a TolC-dependent manner, both during infection of primary macrophages and during organ colonization in mice. The TolC-dependent delay in host cell death is required forF. tularensisto preserve its intracellular replicative niche. We demonstrate that TolC-mediated inhibition of apoptosis is an active process and not due to defects in the structural integrity of the ΔtolCmutant. These findings support a model wherein the immunomodulatory capacity ofF. tularensisrelies, at least in part, on TolC-secreted effectors. Finally, mice vaccinated with the ΔtolCLVS are protected from lethal challenge and clear challenge doses faster than WT-vaccinated mice, demonstrating that the altered host responses to primary infection with the ΔtolCmutant led to altered adaptive immune responses. Taken together, our data demonstrate that TolC is required for temporal modulation of host cell death during infection byF. tularensisand highlight how shifts in the magnitude and timing of host innate immune responses may lead to dramatic changes in the outcome of infection.

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