Protective role of IL-17-producing γδ T cells in a laser-induced choroidal neovascularization mouse model.

Background: Vision loss in patients with wet/exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision impairment in older adults. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a component of the microenvironment associated with some autoimmune diseases. Previous studies have indicated that wet AMD patients have elevated serum IL-17A levels.

Short-chain fatty acids ameliorate allergic airway inflammation via sequential induction of PMN-MDSCs and Treg cells.

Background: Reinforcement of the immune-regulatory pathway is a feasible strategy for prevention and therapy of allergic asthma. The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate, propionate, and butyrate are pleiotropic microbial fermentation products known to induce regulatory T (Treg) cells and exert an immune-regulatory effect. The cellular mechanism underlying SCFA immune regulation in asthma is not fully understood.

Interferon Family Cytokines in Obesity and Insulin Sensitivity.

Obesity and its associated complications are global public health concerns. Metabolic disturbances and immune dysregulation cause adipose tissue stress and dysfunction in obese individuals. Immune cell accumulation in the adipose microenvironment is the main cause of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction.

Circulating SSEA-1 stem cell-mediated tissue repair in allergic airway inflammation.

Structural changes known as airway remodeling characterize chronic/severe asthma and contribute to lung dysfunction. We previously reported that neonatal SSEA-1 pulmonary stem/progenitor cells (PSCs) ameliorated airway inflammation in asthmatic mice. However, the molecular mechanisms by which endogenous SSEA-1 PSC of adult mice afford beneficial effects in alveolar homeostasis and lung repair after allergen challenge remain incompletely understood.

Neonatal lung-derived SSEA-1 cells exhibited distinct stem/progenitor characteristics and organoid developmental potential.

Stem/progenitor cells, because of their self-renewal and multiple cell type differentiation abilities, have good potential in regenerative medicine. We previously reported a lung epithelial cell population that expressed the stem cell marker SSEA-1 was abundant in neonatal but scarce in adult mice. In the current study, neonatal and adult mouse-derived pulmonary SSEA-1 cells were isolated for further characterization.

Roles of IL-1 and IL-10 family cytokines in the progression of systemic lupus erythematosus: Friends or foes?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology that can affect nearly every organ system in the body. Besides genetic and environmental factors, unbalanced pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines contribute to immune dysregulation, trigger an inflammatory response, and induce tissue and organ damage. Inflammatory responses in SLE can be promoted and/or maintained by the availability of cytokines that are overproduced systemically and/or in local tissues.

IL-20 is involved in obesity by modulation of adipogenesis and macrophage dysregulation.

IL-20 is a proinflammatory cytokine of the IL-10 family and involved in several diseases. However, the regulatory role of IL-20 in obesity is not well understood. We explored the function of IL-20 in the pathogenesis of obesity-induced insulin resistance by ELISA, Western blotting and flow cytometry.

Asthma in the Precision Medicine Era: Biologics and Probiotics.

Asthma is a major global health issue. Over 300 million people worldwide suffer from this chronic inflammatory airway disease. Typical clinical symptoms of asthma are characterized by a recurrent wheezy cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

IL-29 promoted obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance.

Adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk plays a critical role to regulate adipose tissue microenvironment and cause chronic inflammation in the pathogenesis of obesity. Interleukin-29 (IL-29), a member of type 3 interferon family, plays a role in host defenses against microbes, however, little is known about its role in metabolic disorders. We explored the function of IL-29 in the pathogenesis of obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance.

Multi-Faceted Notch in Allergic Airway Inflammation.

Notch is an evolutionarily conserved signaling family which iteratively exerts pleiotropic functions in cell fate decisions and various physiological processes, not only during embryonic development but also throughout adult life. In the context of the respiratory system, Notch has been shown to regulate ciliated versus secretory lineage differentiation of epithelial progenitor cells and coordinate morphogenesis of the developing lung. Reminiscent of its role in development, the Notch signaling pathway also plays a role in repair of lung injuries by regulation of stem cell activity, cell differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Targeting tumor-infiltrating Ly6G myeloid cells improves sorafenib efficacy in mouse orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic activity, is an approved therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is unclear whether the proinflammatory and immunosuppressive mechanisms may limit the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib in HCC. We used a syngeneic mouse liver cancer cell line to establish orthotopic liver or subcutaneous tumors to study how proinflammatory and immunosuppressive mechanisms impact on the efficacy of sorafenib.

Detection of anti-p155/140, anti-p140, and antiendothelial cells autoantibodies in patients with juvenile dermatomyositis.

Background/purpose: The pathogenesis of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), the most common idiopathic inflammatory myopathy in children, is unclear. The identification of novel autoantibodies in JDM may have clinical implications. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of anti-p155/140, anti-p140 antibodies, and antiendothelial cells antibodies (AECA) in patients with JDM and to correlate autoantibodies with clinical manifestations.

A novel phycobiliprotein alleviates allergic airway inflammation by modulating immune responses.

Rationale: it has been claimed that phycocyanin exhibits pharmaceutical functions in inhibiting histamine release and leukotriene biosynthesis. In allergic asthma, these inflammatory mediators are crucial for disease progression.

Objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of R-phycocyanin (R-PC) against allergic airway inflammation.