Bat Red Blood Cells express Nucleic Acid Sensing Receptors and bind RNA and DNA

Red blood cells (RBCs) demonstrate immunomodulatory capabilities through the expression of nucleic acid sensors. Little is known about bat RBCs, and no studies have examined the immune function of bat erythrocytes. Here we show that bat RBCs express the nucleic acid-sensing Toll-like receptors TLR7 and TLR9 and bind the nucleic acid ligands, single-stranded RNA, and CpG DNA. Collectively, these data suggest that, like human RBCs, bat erythrocytes possess immune function and may be reservoirs for nucleic acids. These findings provide unique insight into bat immunity and may uncover potential mechanisms by which virulent pathogens in humans are concealed in bats.

Measles-Associated Severe Pneumonia in a Patient with HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B: A Case Report

Background: Every year, approximately 800,000 people die from liver diseases associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Complications outside the liver are common, such as fungal lung infections and viral infections. These complications may be associated with poor immune function, thus making clinical treatment difficult and increasing the risk of death. Therefore, HBV-infection-related liver diseases are worthy of clinical attention and further research. Case summary: We report a case of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in which the patient received entecavir as an anti-HBV treatment after liver dysfunction. During the treatment, the patient was diagnosed with measles and severe viral pneumonia. After comprehensive treatment, including active antiviral medications and mechanical ventilation, the patient recovered and was discharged. Conclusion: HBV infection causes liver damage, affects immune function, and is likely to be associated with viral infections such as measles. Consequently, infections may lead to complications, such as severe viral pneumonia, that endanger patients’ lives. To decrease complications and mortality, better understanding of the disease is necessary to enable early diagnosis.

Associations of Nutritional Behavior and Gut Microbiota with the Risk of COVID-19 in Healthy Young Adults in Poland

The numerous consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in healthy young people and the lack of clarity as to the long-term disease outcomes have spurred the search for risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed to evaluate the associations of nutritional behaviors, gut microbiota, and physical activity with the risk of COVID-19 in healthy young nonobese people. Data on body composition, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, dietary intake, and gut microbiota were obtained from 95 adults (mean age, 34.66 ± 5.76 years). A balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruit, including nuts, wholegrain cereal products, and legumes, covers the need for vitamins and minerals. Such a diet can be an effective measure to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in nonobese healthy physically active young people with normal immune function. People with balanced diet and an average daily consumption of >500 g of vegetables and fruit and >10 g of nuts had an 86% lower risk of COVID-19 compared with those whose diet was not balanced and who consumed lower amounts of these products. It is well documented that proper nutrition, physical activity, and maintenance of normal weight facilitate good health by ensuring optimal immune function. The beneficial effects of these interventions should be strongly emphasized during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of Early Nutritional Assessment and Nutritional Support on Immune Function and Clinical Prognosis of Critically Ill Children

The aim of this study was to study the effect of early nutritional assessment and nutritional support on immune function and clinical prognosis of critically ill children. 90 critically ill children at the same level of severity admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of our hospital (June 2019–June 2020) were chosen as the research objects and were equally separated into the experimental group and the control group by the random number table method. The children in the control group were admitted to the PICU according to the routine process, and the nutritional support was provided to the malnourished ones. After admission to the PICU, the children in the experimental group were given nutritional assessment, nutritional risk screening, and nutritional support according to the screening results. The PICU stay time and total hospitalization time of the experimental group were obviously shorter than those of the control group ( P < 0.05 ), the hospitalization expenses of the experimental group were obviously lower than those of the control group ( P < 0.05 ), the clinical outcomes and immune function of the experimental group were obviously better than those of the control group ( P < 0.05 ), and the nutrition indicators of the experimental group were obviously higher than those of the control group ( P < 0.05 ). Early nutritional assessment and nutritional support can effectively improve the immune function and reduce the incidence of adverse clinical outcomes of critically ill children, which are worthy of clinical application and promotion.

The Influence of the Western Diet on Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Immunity

Diet exerts a major influence upon host immune function and the gastrointestinal microbiota. Although components of the human diet (including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) are essential sources of nutrition for the host, they also influence immune function directly through interaction with innate and cell-mediated immune regulatory mechanisms. Regulation of the microbiota community structure also provides a mechanism by which food components influence host immune regulatory processes. Here, we consider the complex interplay between components of the modern (Western) diet, the microbiota, and host immunity in the context of obesity and metabolic disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and infection. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, Volume 13 is March 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Study on the Effects of Individualized Nutritional Intervention on Pregnancy Outcome and Neonatal Immune Function in Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Objective. To study the effects of individualized nutritional intervention on pregnancy outcome and neonatal immune function in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 100 GDM patients from the obstetrics and gynecology department of our institute between February 2019 and February 2020. The patients were allocated into the control group given regular intervention and the experimental group given individualized nutritional intervention according to different intervention measures, with 50 cases in each group. The comparison was carried out for patients in the two groups with regard to their modality of delivery, neonatal health, their plasma glucose in fasting state, 2 h after eating, and before bedtime; glycohemoglobin at 8 months of pregnancy, at 9 months of pregnancy, during labor, and 1 month after delivery; their complications; and neonatal CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ levels. Results. The experimental group outperformed the control group in terms of the spontaneous delivery rate, the number of healthy neonates, and neonatal CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ levels ( P < 0.05 ). The plasma glucose in fasting state, 2 h after eating, and before bedtime; the glycohemoglobin at 8 months of pregnancy, at 9 months of pregnancy, during labor, and 1 month after delivery; and the incidence of complications of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. Individualized nutritional intervention increases the rate of spontaneous delivery in GDM patients, enhances neonatal immune function, stabilizes plasma glucose, and reduces complications.

The transcription factor KLF14 regulates macrophage glycolysis and immune function by inhibiting HK2 in sepsis

Sepsis is a heterogeneous syndrome induced by a dysregulated host response to infection. Glycolysis plays a role in maintaining the immune function of macrophages, which is crucial for severely septic patients. However, how the pathways that link glycolysis and macrophages are regulated is still largely unknown. Here, we provide evidence to support the function of KLF14, a novel Krüppel-like transcription factor, in the regulation of glycolysis and the immune function of macrophages during sepsis. KLF14 deletion led to significantly increased mortality in lethal models of murine endotoxemia and sepsis. Mechanistically, KLF14 decreased glycolysis and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by macrophages by inhibiting the transcription of HK2. In addition, we confirmed that the expression of KLF14 was upregulated in septic patients. Furthermore, pharmacological activation of KLF14 conferred protection against sepsis in mice. These findings uncover a key role of KLF14 in modulating the inflammatory signaling pathway and shed light on the development of KLF14-targeted therapeutics for sepsis.