scholarly journals Host Immunity and Francisella tularensis: A Review of Tularemia in Immunocompromised Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2539
Author(s):  
Olivier Bahuaud ◽  
Cécile Le Brun ◽  
Adrien Lemaignen
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Francisella Tularensis ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Diagnostic Strategy ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Zoonotic Infection ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Unexplained Fever

Tularemia, caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, is an infrequent zoonotic infection, well known in immunocompetent (but poorly described in immunocompromised) patients. Although there is no clear literature data about the specific characteristics of this disease in immunocompromised patients, clinical reports seem to describe a different presentation of tularemia in these patients. Moreover, atypical clinical presentations added to the fastidiousness of pathogen identification seem to be responsible for a delayed diagnosis, leading to a” loss of chance” for immunocompromised patients. In this article, we first provide an overview of the host immune responses to Francisella infections and discuss how immunosuppressive therapies or diseases can lead to a higher susceptibility to tularemia. Then, we describe the particular clinical patterns of tularemia in immunocompromised patients from the literature. We also provide hints of an alternative diagnostic strategy regarding these patients. In conclusion, tularemia should be considered in immunocompromised patients presenting pulmonary symptoms or unexplained fever. Molecular techniques on pathological tissues might improve diagnosis with faster results.

scholarly journals Drawing Comparisons between SARS-CoV-2 and the Animal Coronaviruses

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1840
Author(s):  
Souvik Ghosh ◽  
Yashpal S. Malik
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Tissue Tropism ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Diversity Transmission ◽  
Complex Origin

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by a novel zoonotic coronavirus (CoV), SARS-CoV-2, has infected 46,182 million people, resulting in 1,197,026 deaths (as of 1 November 2020), with devastating and far-reaching impacts on economies and societies worldwide. The complex origin, extended human-to-human transmission, pathogenesis, host immune responses, and various clinical presentations of SARS-CoV-2 have presented serious challenges in understanding and combating the pandemic situation. Human CoVs gained attention only after the SARS-CoV outbreak of 2002–2003. On the other hand, animal CoVs have been studied extensively for many decades, providing a plethora of important information on their genetic diversity, transmission, tissue tropism and pathology, host immunity, and therapeutic and prophylactic strategies, some of which have striking resemblance to those seen with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, the evolution of human CoVs, including SARS-CoV-2, is intermingled with those of animal CoVs. In this comprehensive review, attempts have been made to compare the current knowledge on evolution, transmission, pathogenesis, immunopathology, therapeutics, and prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 with those of various animal CoVs. Information on animal CoVs might enhance our understanding of SARS-CoV-2, and accordingly, benefit the development of effective control and prevention strategies against COVID-19.

Role of convalescent plasma therapy in new Coronavirus disease (nCOVID-19): A review

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 546-549
Author(s):  
Shweta Dadarao Parwe ◽  
Milind Abhimanyu Nisargandha ◽  
Rishikesh Thakre
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Indian Population ◽  
Preventive Treatment ◽  
The Body ◽  
Therapeutic Antibodies ◽  
Plasma Therapy ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Transparent Liquid

Hitherto, there is no proper line of treatment for the new (nCOVID19). The development of unique antiviral drugs has taken precedence. Therapeutic antibodies () will be a significantly beneficial agent against nCOVID-19. Here the host immune responses to new discussed in this review provide strategy and further treatment and understanding of clinical interventions against nCOVID-19. Plasma therapy uses the antibodies found in the blood of people recovering (or convalesced) from an infection to treat infected patients. When an infection occurs, the body begins producing proteins specially made to kill the germ, called antibodies. Those antibodies coat specifically plasma in the blood of survivors, the yellow transparent liquid blood portion for months or even years. research assesses plasma use from Convalescent patients of infected with nCOVID-19 as a possible preventive treatment. But it is not yet recommended as a line of treatment, and it is used as a clinical trial in the new in Indian population.

scholarly journals Evaluation of dsRNA delivery methods for targeting macrophage migration inhibitory factor MIF in RNAi-based aphid control

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoshuai Liu ◽  
Maria Jose Ladera-Carmona ◽  
Minna M. Poranen ◽  
Aart J. E. van Bel ◽  
Karl-Heinz Kogel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Artificial Diet ◽  
Sieve Tube ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Macrophage Migration ◽  
Delivery Methods ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Aphid Control ◽  
Barley Leaves ◽  
Sieve Tubes

AbstractMacrophage migration inhibitory factors (MIFs) are multifunctional proteins regulating major processes in mammals, including activation of innate immune responses. In invertebrates, MIF proteins participate in the modulation of host immune responses when secreted by parasitic organisms, such as aphids. In this study, we assessed the possibility to use MIF genes as targets for RNA interference (RNAi)-based control of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae (Sa) on barley (Hordeum vulgare). When nymphs were fed on artificial diet containing double-stranded (ds)RNAs (SaMIF-dsRNAs) that target sequences of the three MIF genes SaMIF1, SaMIF2 and SaMIF3, they showed higher mortality rates and these rates correlated with reduced MIF transcript levels as compared to the aphids feeding on artificial diet containing a control dsRNA (GFP-dsRNA). Comparison of different feeding strategies showed that nymphs’ survival was not altered when they fed from barley seedlings sprayed with naked SaMIF-dsRNAs, suggesting they did not effectively take up dsRNA from the sieve tubes of these plants. Furthermore, aphids’ survival was also not affected when the nymphs fed on leaves supplied with dsRNA via basal cut ends of barley leaves. Consistent with this finding, the use of sieve tube-specific YFP-labeled Arabidopsis reporter lines confirmed that fluorescent 21 nt dsRNACy3, when supplied via petioles or spraying, co-localized with xylem structures, but not with phloem tissue. Our results suggest that MIF genes are a potential target for insect control and also imply that application of naked dsRNA to plants for aphid control is inefficient. More efforts should be put into the development of effective dsRNA formulations.

scholarly journals Dysregulated Immune Responses by ASK1 Deficiency Alter Epithelial Progenitor Cell Fate and Accelerate Metaplasia Development during H. pylori Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1995
Author(s):  
Yoku Hayakawa ◽  
Yoshihiro Hirata ◽  
Masahiro Hata ◽  
Mayo Tsuboi ◽  
Yukiko Oya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Suppressor Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Immune Disorder ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Epithelial Homeostasis ◽  
H Pylori

The mechanism of H. pylori-induced atrophy and metaplasia has not been fully understood. Here, we demonstrate the novel role of Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and downstream MAPKs as a regulator of host immune responses and epithelial maintenance against H. pylori infection. ASK1 gene deficiency resulted in enhanced inflammation with numerous inflammatory cells including Gr-1+CD11b+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) recruited into the infected stomach. Increase of IL-1β release from apoptotic macrophages and enhancement of TH1-polarized immune responses caused STAT1 and NF-κB activation in epithelial cells in ASK1 knockout mice. Dysregulated immune and epithelial activation in ASK1 knockout mice led to dramatic expansion of gastric progenitor cells and massive metaplasia development. Bone marrow transplantation experiments revealed that ASK1 in inflammatory cells is critical for inducing immune disorder and metaplastic changes in epithelium, while ASK1 in epithelial cells regulates cell proliferation in stem/progenitor zone without changes in inflammation and differentiation. These results suggest that H. pylori-induced immune cells may regulate epithelial homeostasis and cell fate as an inflammatory niche via ASK1 signaling.

scholarly journals Role of Alternative Splicing in Regulating Host Response to Viral Infection

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1720
Author(s):  
Kuo-Chieh Liao ◽  
Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Alternative Splicing ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Rna Splicing ◽  
Type I ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Transcriptional Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Host Virus Interactions

The importance of transcriptional regulation of host genes in innate immunity against viral infection has been widely recognized. More recently, post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms have gained appreciation as an additional and important layer of regulation to fine-tune host immune responses. Here, we review the functional significance of alternative splicing in innate immune responses to viral infection. We describe how several central components of the Type I and III interferon pathways encode spliced isoforms to regulate IFN activation and function. Additionally, the functional roles of splicing factors and modulators in antiviral immunity are discussed. Lastly, we discuss how cell death pathways are regulated by alternative splicing as well as the potential role of this regulation on host immunity and viral infection. Altogether, these studies highlight the importance of RNA splicing in regulating host–virus interactions and suggest a role in downregulating antiviral innate immunity; this may be critical to prevent pathological inflammation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document