Archaea: forgotten players in the microbiome

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna Bang ◽  
Ruth A. Schmitz
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Disease Development ◽  
Membrane Composition ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
The Third ◽  
Wall Structures ◽  
Human Immune

Archaea, the third domain of life containing unique membrane composition and highly diverse cell wall structures, were only recognized 40 years ago. Initially identified in extreme environments, they are currently recognized as organisms ubiquitously present in most, if not all, microbiomes associated with eukaryotic hosts. However, they have been mostly overseen in microbiome studies due to the lack of standardized detection protocols and to the fact that no archaeal pathogen is currently known. Recent years clearly showed that (i) archaea are part of the microbiomes associated with plants, animals and humans, (ii) form biofilms and (iii) interact and activate the human immune system. Future studies will not only define the host-associated diversity of archaea (referred to as ‘archaeome’) but also contribute to our understanding of the comprehensive metabolic interplay between archaea and bacteria and the long-term gain insights into their role in human health and their potential role(s) during disease development.

scholarly journals Phosphorus Dendrimers as Nanotools against Cancers

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 3333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Marie Caminade
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Cytotoxic Effect ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
The Third ◽  
Cancerous Cell ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
Cancerous Cells

This review concerns the use of dendrimers, especially of phosphorhydrazone dendrimers, against cancers. After the introduction, the review is organized in three main topics, depending on the role played by the phosphorus dendrimers against cancers: (i) as drugs by themselves; (ii) as carriers of drugs; and (iii) as indirect inducer of cancerous cell death. In the first part, two main types of phosphorus dendrimers are considered: those functionalized on the surface by diverse organic derivatives, including known drugs, and those functionalized by diverse metal complexes. The second part will display the role of dendrimers as carriers of anticancer “drugs”, which can be either small molecules or anticancer siRNAs, or the combination of both. In the third part are gathered a few examples of phosphorhydrazone dendrimers that are not cytotoxic by themselves, but which under certain circumstances induce a cytotoxic effect on cancerous cells. These examples include a positive influence on the human immune system and the combination of bioimaging with photodynamic therapy properties.

scholarly journals Mecanismos de la respuesta inmune adaptativa: respuesta específica y de protección a largo plazo

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 25-43
Author(s):  
William de Jesús Ríos-Ríos ◽  
Jair Aguilar-Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganism ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Specific Immunity ◽  
Human Immune

The human immune system has evolvedtoachieveahighlyefficient, specialized and specific immunity against particular molecular structures of each pathogenic microorganism and to develop mechanisms allowing to respond more quickly and efficiently to subsequent encounters with the same invading agent: the adaptive immune response. This paper describes the connection between the innate and adaptive immune response, as well as the cellular and humoral mechanisms of control and long-term protection of the adaptive immune response.

scholarly journals Will SARS-CoV-2 Infection Elicit Long-Lasting Protective or Sterilising Immunity? Implications for Vaccine Strategies (2020)

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Kim ◽  
Sarah Rowland-Jones ◽  
Ester Gea-Mallorquí
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

In December 2019, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China resulted in the current COVID-19 global pandemic. The human immune system has not previously encountered this virus, raising the important question as to whether or not protective immunity is generated by infection. Growing evidence suggests that protective immunity can indeed be acquired post-infection—although a handful of reinfection cases have been reported. However, it is still unknown whether the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 leads to some degree of long-lasting protection against the disease or the infection. This review draws insights from previous knowledge regarding the nature and longevity of immunity to the related virus, SARS-CoV, to fill the gaps in our understanding of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Deciphering the immunological characteristics that give rise to protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is critical to guiding vaccine development and also predicting the course of the pandemic. Here we discuss the recent evidence that characterises the adaptive immune response against SARS-CoV-2 and its potential implications for the generation of memory responses and long-term protection.

scholarly journals Human immune system adaptations to simulated microgravity revealed by single-cell mass cytometry

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Spatz ◽  
M. Hughes Fulford ◽  
A. Tsai ◽  
D. Gaudilliere ◽  
J. Hedou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Mass Cytometry ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Human Immune

AbstractExposure to microgravity (µG) during space flights produces a state of immunosuppression, leading to increased viral shedding, which could interfere with long term missions. However, the cellular mechanisms that underlie the immunosuppressive effects of µG are ill-defined. A deep understanding of human immune adaptations to µG is a necessary first step to design data-driven interventions aimed at preserving astronauts’ immune defense during short- and long-term spaceflights. We employed a high-dimensional mass cytometry approach to characterize over 250 cell-specific functional responses in 18 innate and adaptive immune cell subsets exposed to 1G or simulated (s)µG using the Rotating Wall Vessel. A statistically stringent elastic net method produced a multivariate model that accurately stratified immune responses observed in 1G and sµG (p value 2E−4, cross-validation). Aspects of our analysis resonated with prior knowledge of human immune adaptations to µG, including the dampening of Natural Killer, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. Remarkably, we found that sµG enhanced STAT5 signaling responses of immunosuppressive Tregs. Our results suggest µG exerts a dual effect on the human immune system, simultaneously dampening cytotoxic responses while enhancing Treg function. Our study provides a single-cell readout of sµG-induced immune dysfunctions and an analytical framework for future studies of human immune adaptations to human long-term spaceflights.

Introduction to the Principles of Immunology

2020 ◽  
pp. 23-34
Author(s):  
Michael B. A. Oldstone
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Viral Proteins ◽  
Nerve Cells ◽  
Viral Diseases ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Foreign Antigen ◽  
Human Immune

This chapter discusses how the human immune system combats viruses, either by spontaneously eliminating infections or by becoming stimulated via vaccination to prevent viral diseases. The proteins in viruses and bacteria that trigger an immune response are called antigens or immunogens, and the result of a satisfactory immune response to these antigens is immunity—long-term protection from repeated disease caused by a specific type of virus or bacteria. Similarly, a vaccine primes the immune response by programming it to anticipate and resist future pathogens like those in that particular vaccine. The immune system has evolved to deal with enormous numbers and varieties of every conceivable foreign antigen. However, the immune system must discriminate between foreign antigens, such as viral proteins, that are non-self and those antigens that are self, one’s own proteins (i.e., hormones such as insulin and cell proteins that make up muscle or nerve cells). Ultimately, the success of this system defines an organism’s capacity for survival.

scholarly journals PHYSIOLOGICAL PREDICTORS OF LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF COVID-19 IN PATIENTS WITH SARS-COV-2: FOCUS ON LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION-IMPROVING MICRONUTRIENTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia-Maria Karkhut ◽  
◽  
Iryna Muzyka ◽  
Maryana Savytska ◽  
Khrystyna Dzhyoieva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymphocyte Proliferation ◽  
Metabolic Health ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
Iron Manganese ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Patients with long-term effects of coronavirus disease, the so-called “long-term COVID-19 syndrome” (long-COVID-19) after SARS-CoV-2 infection, have a postponed recovery lasting from 4 weeks and up to six months, spread worldwide. Physiological predictors based on human blood biomarkers and host-virus responses to SARS-CoV-2 are still unknown. There is growing evidence about the impact of micronutrients on improving lymphocyte proliferation and their essential roles for a functioning human immune system and regulating metabolic health. This paper aims to review information about micronutrients in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection that determines long-COVID-19 outcomes and highlight the importance of diagnostics in predictors of long-COVID-19. We reviewed articles returned from searches on PubMed/SCOPUS/Web of Science/ EMBASE databases using a combination of terms “long COVID-19”, “long-term effects of COVID-19”, “post-COVID-19 symptoms”, “COVID-19 associated stress”, “micronutrients”. Evidence indicates the relationship between lymphocyte proliferation improving micronutrient level and long-COVID-19 induction. Zinc, selenium, iron, manganese have an immunomodulatory function in innate and adaptive immune responses to viral infection. Anti-inflammatory functions of Vits A and B groups include the regulation of lymphocyte proliferation and metabolic health. Further research using sampling and artificial intelligence-assisted algorithms could assist in the recognition of the correlation of micronutrients and long-COVID-19 clinical outcomes

scholarly journals Vegetarianism and Human Health

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-251
Author(s):  
Usha R. Palaniswamy
Keyword(s):  
Health Benefit ◽  
Vegetarian Diet ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
Sugar Levels ◽  
Vegetarian Movement ◽  
Specific Health ◽  
Number Of Plant Species

Vegetarianism dates back to a time before recorded history and, as many anthropologists believe, most early humans ate primarily plant foods, being more gatherers than hunters. Human diets may be adopted for a variety of reasons, including political, esthetic, moral, environmental and economic concerns, religious beliefs, and a desire to consume a more healthy diet. A major factor influencing the vegetarianism movement in the present time is primarily associated with better health. Epidemiologic data support the association between high intake of vegetables and fruit and low risk of chronic diseases and provide evidence to the profound and long-term health benefits of a primarily vegetarian diet. Vegetables and fruit are rich sources of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber as well as biologically active nonnutrient compounds that have a complementary and often multiple mechanisms of actions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and hypolipidemic properties, and mechanisms that stimulate the human immune system. Because of the critical link established between diet and health, consumers have begun to view food as a means of self-care for health promotion and disease prevention. Functional foods are targeted to address specific health concerns, such as high cholesterol or high blood sugar levels, to obtain a desired health benefit. Functional properties identified in a number of plant species have led to a modern day renaissance for the vegetarian movement.

scholarly journals COVID-19 pandemic: the possible influence of the long-term ignorance about climate change

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaghayegh Gorji ◽  
Ali Gorji
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Trace Back ◽  
Human Immune

AbstractIn addressing the current COVID-19 pandemic and evaluating the measures taken by global leaders so far, it is crucial to trace back the circumstances influencing the emergence of the crisis that the world is presently facing. Could it be that the failure to act in a timely manner dates way back to when first concerns about climate change and its inevitable threat to human health came up? Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the large-scale and rapid environmental changes in the last few decades may be implicated in the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic by increasing the potential risk of the occurrence and the spread of zoonotic diseases, worsening food security, and weakening the human immune system. As we are facing progressive climatic change, a failure to act accordingly could inevitably lead to further, more frequent confrontations with newly emerging diseases.

Biographical Studies of G.I. Gurdjieff

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-35
Author(s):  
Joseph Azize
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Research ◽  
Source Material ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Subject

The various published biographies and biographical notices of G.I. Gurdjieff (c.1865-1949) are of diverse style, quantity and content. While some have made considerable contributions to the subject, most attempts have reacted for or against Gurdjieff’s status as what might call an ‘Enlightened Master’. Little biographical writing on Gurdjieff has questioned the scope, reliability and prejudices of the sources. Further, possible resources have been neglected. The development in Gurdjieff’s ideas is often overlooked, his life is not sufficiently related to that development, and the lack of comparative research has failed to highlight Gurdjieff’s unique contributions. This article is structured in four parts. The first is an introduction, followed by an overview of existing biographical studies of Gurdjieff. The third part addresses bias in these studies, and this is followed by suggestions for future studies. It is concluded that fieldwork regarding the biography of Gurdjieff has been hampered by imperfect methodology. However, with better use of the source material, some of which has only recently been discovered, and a rigorous use of sources, a more balanced and nuanced picture of Gurdjieff’s life, and the development of his ideas and methods, should emerge.

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