scholarly journals Inflammasomes and SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2513
Author(s):  
Juha Kaivola ◽  
Tuula Anneli Nyman ◽  
Sampsa Matikainen
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
New Type ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

SARS-CoV-2 is a new type of coronavirus that has caused worldwide pandemic. The disease induced by SARS-CoV-2 is called COVID-19. A majority of people with COVID-19 have relatively mild respiratory symptoms. However, a small percentage of COVID-19 patients develop a severe disease where multiple organs are affected. These severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infections are associated with excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, so called “cytokine storm”. Inflammasomes, which are protein complexes of the innate immune system orchestrate development of local and systemic inflammation during virus infection. Recent data suggest involvement of inflammasomes in severe COVID-19. Activation of inflammasome exerts two major effects: it activates caspase-1-mediated processing and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, and induces inflammatory cell death, pyroptosis, via protein called gasdermin D. Here, we provide comprehensive review of current understanding of the activation and possible functions of different inflammasome structures during SARS-CoV-2 infection and compare that to response caused by influenza A virus. We also discuss how novel SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines activate innate immune response, which is a prerequisite for the activation of protective adaptive immune response.

scholarly journals Macrophages and Dendritic Cells Are Not the Major Source of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Upon SARS-CoV-2 Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc A. Niles ◽  
Patricia Gogesch ◽  
Stefanie Kronhart ◽  
Samira Ortega Iannazzo ◽  
Georg Kochs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Innate Immune Cells ◽  
M2 Macrophages ◽  
Myeloid Dendritic Cells ◽  
M1 And M2 Macrophages ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

The exact role of innate immune cells upon infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and their contribution to the formation of the corona virus-induced disease (COVID)-19 associated cytokine storm is not yet fully understood. We show that human in vitro differentiated myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) as well as M1 and M2 macrophages are susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2 but are not productively infected. Furthermore, infected mDC, M1-, and M2 macrophages show only slight changes in their activation status. Surprisingly, none of the infected innate immune cells produced the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)−6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, or interferon (IFN)−α. Moreover, even in co-infection experiments using different stimuli, as well as non-influenza (non-flu) or influenza A (flu) viruses, only very minor IL-6 production was induced. In summary, we conclude that mDC and macrophages are unlikely the source of the first wave of cytokines upon infection with SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Functional Genomic and Serological Analysis of the Protective Immune Response Resulting from Vaccination of Macaques with an NS1-Truncated Influenza Virus

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (21) ◽  
pp. 11817-11827 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Baskin ◽  
H. Bielefeldt-Ohmann ◽  
A. García-Sastre ◽  
T. M. Tumpey ◽  
N. Van Hoeven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
Live Vaccine ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Vaccine Group ◽  
Homologous Challenge

ABSTRACT We are still inadequately prepared for an influenza pandemic due to the lack of a vaccine effective for subtypes to which the majority of the human population has no prior immunity and which could be produced rapidly in sufficient quantities. There is therefore an urgent need to investigate novel vaccination approaches. Using a combination of genomic and traditional tools, this study compares the protective efficacy in macaques of an intrarespiratory live influenza virus vaccine produced by truncating NS1 in the human influenza A/Texas/36/91 (H1N1) virus with that of a conventional vaccine based on formalin-killed whole virus. After homologous challenge, animals in the live-vaccine group had greatly reduced viral replication and pathology in lungs and reduced upper respiratory inflammation. They also had lesser induction of innate immune pathways in lungs and of interferon-sensitive genes in bronchial epithelium. This postchallenge response contrasted with that shortly after vaccination, when more expression of interferon-sensitive genes was observed in bronchial cells from the live-vaccine group. This suggested induction of a strong innate immune response shortly after vaccination with the NS1-truncated virus, followed by greater maturity of the postchallenge immune response, as demonstrated with robust influenza virus-specific CD4+ T-cell proliferation, immunoglobulin G production, and transcriptional induction of T- and B-cell pathways in lung tissue. In conclusion, a single respiratory tract inoculation with an NS1-truncated influenza virus was effective in protecting nonhuman primates from homologous challenge. This protection was achieved in the absence of significant or long-lasting adverse effects and through induction of a robust adaptive immune response.

scholarly journals Congenital Asplenia Interrupts Immune Homeostasis and Leads to Excessive Systemic Inflammation in Zebrafish

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lang Xie ◽  
Zheyu Chen ◽  
Hui Guo ◽  
Yixi Tao ◽  
Xiaomin Miao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
Immune Homeostasis ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Immune Related Genes ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Splenectomy or congenital asplenia in humans increases susceptibility to infections. We have previously reported that congenital asplenia in zebrafish reduces resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. However, the molecular mechanism of systemic immune response in congenitally asplenic individuals is largely unexplored. In this study, we found that pro-inflammatory cytokines were more highly induced in congenitally asplenic zebrafish than wild-type after pathogenic A. hydrophila infection and lipopolysaccharide exposure. In addition, a higher aggregation of apoptotic cells was observed in congenitally asplenic zebrafish than that in wild-type. Next, we examined the transcriptome profiles of whole kidneys from wild-type and congenitally asplenic zebrafish to investigate the effects of congenital asplenia on innate and adaptive immune responses induced by the inactivated A. hydrophila. Congenital asplenia inactivated the splenic anti-inflammatory reflex, disrupted immune homeostasis, and induced excessive inflammation as evidenced by the highly induced stress response–related biological processes, inflammatory and apoptosis-associated pathways, and pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in congenitally asplenic zebrafish compared with wild-type after vaccination. In addition, complement component genes (c3a.1, c3a.6, c4, c6, and c9) and several important immune-related genes (tabp.1, tap1, hamp, prg4b, nfil3, defbl1, psmb9a, tfr1a, and sae1) were downregulated in congenitally asplenic zebrafish. Furthermore, congenital asplenia impaired adaptive immunity as demonstrated by downregulation of biological processes and signaling pathways involved in adaptive immune response after vaccination in congenitally asplenic zebrafish. The expression of MHCII/IgM was also significantly reduced in the congenitally asplenic zebrafish when compared with wild-type. Together, our study provides an in-depth understanding of spleen function in controlling immune homeostasis and may offer insight into the pathological response in splenectomized or congenitally asplenic patients after infections.

scholarly journals CDKI-73 Is a Novel Pharmacological Inhibitor of Rab11 Cargo Delivery and Innate Immune Secretion

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Sorvina ◽  
Tetyana Shandala ◽  
Shudong Wang ◽  
David J. Sharkey ◽  
Emma Parkinson-Lawrence ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Innate Immune Response ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Cell Periphery ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Innate immunity is critical for host defence against pathogen and environmental challenge and this involves the production and secretion of immune mediators, such as antimicrobial peptides and pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, when dysregulated, innate immunity can contribute to multifactorial diseases, including inflammatory rheumatic disorders, type 2 diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and even septic shock. During an innate immune response, antimicrobial peptides and cytokines are trafficked via Rab11 multivesicular endosomes, and then sorted into Rab11 vesicles for traffic to the plasma membrane and secretion. In this study, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CDKI-73 was used to determine its effect on the innate immune response, based on previously identified targets for this compound. Our results showed that CDKI-73 inhibited the delivery of Rab11 vesicles to the plasma membrane, resulting in the accumulation of large multivesicular Rab11 endosomes near the cell periphery. In addition to the effect on endosome delivery, CDKI-73 down-regulated the amount of innate immune cargo, including the antimicrobial peptide Drosomycin and pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). We concluded that CDKI-73 has the potential to regulate the delivery and secretion of certain innate immune cargo, which could be used to control inflammation.

scholarly journals Serum Levels of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in relationship to outcomes in Children with P. falciparum malaria, in Nnewi-South east Nigeria

1970 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-146
Author(s):  
EC Okocha ◽  
NC Ibeh ◽  
EO Ukaejiofor ◽  
JC Ebenebe ◽  
JC Aneke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Platelet Count ◽  
Falciparum Malaria ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Parasite Density ◽  
The Body ◽  
World Health ◽  
Inadequate Response ◽  
Monocyte Count ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Background and Objective: In P. falciparum malaria (PFM) infestation there are marked changes in cytokine production as the body mounts an immune response to it. Hence we set out to study these changes.Methods: A total of 158 cases of PFM among children attending the paediatric unit of our hospital and 56 healthy controls were studied. Children with febrile illness were screened for malaria using 10% Giemsa stained blood smear. Patients with positive smears were recruited; co-infected patients – those infected by another organism in addition to plasmodium specie.- were excluded. Whole blood was collected, some into plain tubes for serum cytokine testing and some into EDTA bottles for complete blood count and parasite density (PD) determination. Controls with asymptomatic parasitaemia were excluded.Results: Using the World Health Organization criteria for defining severe malaria; we identified 15 cases of severe and 143 cases of uncomplicated PFM. Significantly elevated levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were seen in the uncomplicated and severe forms of PFM. It was observed that the elevated cytokine values correlated with PD (in uncomplicated PFM but not in the severe forms). The difference between PD/absolute monocyte count (AMC) ratio was not significant (p=0.13); while PD/platelet count (PC) and PC/ AMC ratios were significant (p=0.01, and 0.03 respectively) when compared between uncomplicated and severe disease.Conclusion: Our data seems to suggest that subjects with an adequate immune response to the parasite density, in terms of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, presented with uncomplicated disease; while those who have an inadequate response presented with severe disease. The ratios of (PD/PC) and (PC/AMC), in the positive and negative directions respectively, may be predictors of increased disease severity. These observations may have implications for predicting disease outcome and PFM therapy.Key Words: plasmodium falciparum malaria, pro-inflammatory cytokines, Parasite density/Platelet count ratio, Platelet count/Absolute monocyte

scholarly journals Pattern Recognition Proteins: First Line of Defense Against Coronaviruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Labarrere ◽  
Ghassan S. Kassab
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Pattern Recognition ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Recognition Protein ◽  
Pattern Recognition Protein

The rapid outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan, China, has become a worldwide pandemic affecting almost 204 million people and causing more than 4.3 million deaths as of August 11 2021. This pandemic has placed a substantial burden on the global healthcare system and the global economy. Availability of novel prophylactic and therapeutic approaches are crucially needed to prevent development of severe disease leading to major complications both acutely and chronically. The success in fighting this virus results from three main achievements: (a) Direct killing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus; (b) Development of a specific vaccine, and (c) Enhancement of the host’s immune system. A fundamental necessity to win the battle against the virus involves a better understanding of the host’s innate and adaptive immune response to the virus. Although the role of the adaptive immune response is directly involved in the generation of a vaccine, the role of innate immunity on RNA viruses in general, and coronaviruses in particular, is mostly unknown. In this review, we will consider the structure of RNA viruses, mainly coronaviruses, and their capacity to affect the lungs and the cardiovascular system. We will also consider the effects of the pattern recognition protein (PRP) trident composed by (a) Surfactant proteins A and D, mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and complement component 1q (C1q), (b) C-reactive protein, and (c) Innate and adaptive IgM antibodies, upon clearance of viral particles and apoptotic cells in lungs and atherosclerotic lesions. We emphasize on the role of pattern recognition protein immune therapies as a combination treatment to prevent development of severe respiratory syndrome and to reduce pulmonary and cardiovascular complications in patients with SARS-CoV-2 and summarize the need of a combined therapeutic approach that takes into account all aspects of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 disease to allow mankind to beat this pandemic killer.

scholarly journals Predominant phosphorylation patterns in Neisseria meningitidis lipid A determined by top-down MS/MS

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 1437-1449
Author(s):  
Constance M. John ◽  
Nancy J. Phillips ◽  
Gary A. Jarvis
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Ion Mobility ◽  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Molecular Ions ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Toll Like Receptor 4 ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Phosphoryl Groups ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Among the virulence factors in Neisseria infections, a major inducer of inflammatory cytokines is the lipooligosaccharide (LOS). The activation of NF-κB via extracellular binding of LOS or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to the toll-like receptor 4 and its coreceptor, MD-2, results in production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that initiate adaptive immune responses. LOS can also be absorbed by cells and activate intracellular inflammasomes, causing the release of inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis. Studies of LOS and LPS have shown that their inflammatory potential is highly dependent on lipid A phosphorylation and acylation, but little is known on the location and pattern of these posttranslational modifications. Herein, we report on the localization of phosphoryl groups on phosphorylated meningococcal lipid A, which has two to three phosphate and zero to two phosphoethanolamine substituents. Intact LOS with symmetrical hexa-acylated and asymmetrical penta-acylated lipid A moieties was subjected to high-resolution ion mobility spectrometry MALDI-TOF MS. LOS molecular ions readily underwent in-source decay to give fragments of the oligosaccharide and lipid A formed by cleavage of the ketosidic linkage, which enabled performing MS/MS (pseudo-MS3). The resulting spectra revealed several patterns of phosphoryl substitution on lipid A, with certain species predominating. The extent of phosphoryl substitution, particularly phosphoethanolaminylation, on the 4′-hydroxyl was greater than that on the 1-hydroxyl. The heretofore unrecognized phosphorylation patterns of lipid A of meningococcal LOS that we detected are likely determinants of both pathogenicity and the ability of the bacteria to evade the innate immune system.

scholarly journals Extracellular vesicles from human cardiovascular progenitors trigger a reparative immune response in infarcted hearts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna Lima Correa ◽  
Nadia El Harane ◽  
Ingrid Gomez ◽  
Hocine Rachid Hocine ◽  
José Vilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Inflammatory Monocytes ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract Aims The cardioprotective effects of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPC) are largely mediated by the paracrine release of extracellular vesicles (EV). We aimed to assess the immunological behaviour of EV-CPC, which is a prerequisite for their clinical translation. Methods and results Flow cytometry demonstrated that EV-CPC expressed very low levels of immune relevant molecules including HLA Class I, CD80, CD274 (PD-L1), and CD275 (ICOS-L); and moderate levels of ligands of the natural killer (NK) cell activating receptor, NKG2D. In mixed lymphocyte reactions, EV-CPC neither induced nor modulated adaptive allogeneic T cell immune responses. They also failed to induce NK cell degranulation, even at high concentrations. These in vitro effects were confirmed in vivo as repeated injections of EV-CPC did not stimulate production of immunoglobulins or affect the interferon (IFN)-γ responses from primed splenocytes. In a mouse model of chronic heart failure, intra-myocardial injections of EV-CPC, 3 weeks after myocardial infarction, decreased both the number of cardiac pro-inflammatory Ly6Chigh monocytes and circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, TNF-α, and IFN-γ). In a model of acute infarction, direct cardiac injection of EV-CPC 2 days after infarction reduced pro-inflammatory macrophages, Ly6Chigh monocytes, and neutrophils in heart tissue as compared to controls. EV-CPC also reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-2, and IL-6, and increased levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These effects on human macrophages and monocytes were reproduced in vitro; EV-CPC reduced the number of pro-inflammatory monocytes and M1 macrophages, while increasing the number of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. Conclusions EV-CPC do not trigger an immune response either in in vitro human allogeneic models or in immunocompetent animal models. The capacity for orienting the response of monocyte/macrophages towards resolution of inflammation strengthens the clinical attractiveness of EV-CPC as an acellular therapy for cardiac repair.

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