scholarly journals Integrating nanomedicine and imaging

2017 ◽  
Vol 375 (2107) ◽  
pp. 20170110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Pérez-Medina ◽  
Sjoerd Hak ◽  
Thomas Reiner ◽  
Zahi A. Fayad ◽  
Matthias Nahrendorf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Molecular Imaging ◽  
Biomedical Engineering ◽  
Multimodality Imaging ◽  
Clinical Implementation ◽  
New Era ◽  
Multicentre Trials ◽  
Recent Developments

Biomedical engineering and its associated disciplines play a pivotal role in improving our understanding and management of disease. Motivated by past accomplishments, such as the clinical implementation of coronary stents, pacemakers or recent developments in antibody therapies, disease management now enters a new era in which precision imaging and nanotechnology-enabled therapeutics are maturing to clinical translation. Preclinical molecular imaging increasingly focuses on specific components of the immune system that drive disease progression and complications, allowing the in vivo study of potential therapeutic targets. The first multicentre trials highlight the potential of clinical multimodality imaging for more efficient drug development. In this perspective, the role of integrating engineering, nanotechnology, molecular imaging and immunology to yield precision medicine is discussed. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Challenges for chemistry in molecular imaging’.

scholarly journals The State of the Art and Prospects for Osteoimmunomodulatory Biomaterials

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1357
Author(s):  
Andreea-Mariana Negrescu ◽  
Anisoara Cimpean
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Bodies ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Fibrous Tissue ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
New Bone Formation ◽  
Recent Developments

The critical role of the immune system in host defense against foreign bodies and pathogens has been long recognized. With the introduction of a new field of research called osteoimmunology, the crosstalk between the immune and bone-forming cells has been studied more thoroughly, leading to the conclusion that the two systems are intimately connected through various cytokines, signaling molecules, transcription factors and receptors. The host immune reaction triggered by biomaterial implantation determines the in vivo fate of the implant, either in new bone formation or in fibrous tissue encapsulation. The traditional biomaterial design consisted in fabricating inert biomaterials capable of stimulating osteogenesis; however, inconsistencies between the in vitro and in vivo results were reported. This led to a shift in the development of biomaterials towards implants with osteoimmunomodulatory properties. By endowing the orthopedic biomaterials with favorable osteoimmunomodulatory properties, a desired immune response can be triggered in order to obtain a proper bone regeneration process. In this context, various approaches, such as the modification of chemical/structural characteristics or the incorporation of bioactive molecules, have been employed in order to modulate the crosstalk with the immune cells. The current review provides an overview of recent developments in such applied strategies.

scholarly journals Immunity to pathogenic free-living amoebae: role of cell-mediated immunity

1980 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 408-410
Author(s):  
R T Cursons ◽  
T J Brown ◽  
E A Keys ◽  
K M Moriarty ◽  
D Till
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Inhibition Test ◽  
Delayed Hypersensitivity ◽  
Cell Mediated Immunity ◽  
Pathogenic Species ◽  
Free Living

The role of cell-mediated immunity in defense against pathogenic free-living amoebae was examined. Both the in vitro macrophage inhibition test and the in vivo delayed hypersensitivity test showed responses to both heterologous and homologous antigens, although homologous systems were the most efficient. It is suggested that exposure to nonpathogenic species of free-living amoebae can stimulate the immune system to be effective against pathogenic species. The significance of cell-mediated immunity as a defense against invasion by pathogenic free-living amoebae is discussed.

scholarly journals Thymosin alpha 1 mitigates cytokine storm in blood cells from COVID-19 patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Matteucci ◽  
Antonella Minutolo ◽  
Emanuela Balestrieri ◽  
Vita Petrone ◽  
Marialaura Fanelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Cytokine Signaling ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Thymosin Alpha 1

Abstract COVID-19 is characterized by immune-mediated lung injury and complex alterations of the immune system, such as lymphopenia and cytokine storm, that have been associated with adverse outcomes underlining a fundamental role of host response in SARS-CoV-2 infection and the pathogenesis of the disease. Thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) is one of the molecules used in the management of COVID-19, since it is known to restore the homeostasis of the immune system during infections and cancer. Here we captured the interconnected biological processes regulated by Tα1 in CD8+ T cells under inflammatory conditions. Genes associated with cytokine signaling and production were found up-regulated in blood cells from COVID-19 patients and the ex-vivo treatment with Tα1 mitigated cytokines expression and inhibited lymphocytes activation in CD8+ T cell subset specifically, suggesting the potential role of Tα1 in modulating the immune response homeostasis and the cytokine storm in vivo.

scholarly journals Why Are Viscosity and Nonlinearity Bound to Make an Impact in Clinical Elastographic Diagnosis?

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 2379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo Rus ◽  
Inas H. Faris ◽  
Jorge Torres ◽  
Antonio Callejas ◽  
Juan Melchor
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Elastic Parameters ◽  
Tissue Microstructure ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Mechanical Biomarkers ◽  
Nonlinear Elastic

The adoption of multiscale approaches by the biomechanical community has caused a major improvement in quality in the mechanical characterization of soft tissues. The recent developments in elastography techniques are enabling in vivo and non-invasive quantification of tissues’ mechanical properties. Elastic changes in a tissue are associated with a broad spectrum of pathologies, which stems from the tissue microstructure, histology and biochemistry. This knowledge is combined with research evidence to provide a powerful diagnostic range of highly prevalent pathologies, from birth and labor disorders (prematurity, induction failures, etc.), to solid tumors (e.g., prostate, cervix, breast, melanoma) and liver fibrosis, just to name a few. This review aims to elucidate the potential of viscous and nonlinear elastic parameters as conceivable diagnostic mechanical biomarkers. First, by providing an insight into the classic role of soft tissue microstructure in linear elasticity; secondly, by understanding how viscosity and nonlinearity could enhance the current diagnosis in elastography; and finally, by compounding preliminary investigations of those elastography parameters within different technologies. In conclusion, evidence of the diagnostic capability of elastic parameters beyond linear stiffness is gaining momentum as a result of the technological and imaging developments in the field of biomechanics.

scholarly journals Current trends in oxysterol research

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 652-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Griffiths ◽  
Jonas Abdel-Khalik ◽  
Thomas Hearn ◽  
Eylan Yutuc ◽  
Alwena H. Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Th17 Cell ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Current Interest ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Recent Developments

In this short review we provide a synopsis of recent developments in oxysterol research highlighting topics of current interest to the community. These include the involvement of oxysterols in neuronal development and survival, their participation in the immune system, particularly with respect to bacterial and viral infection and to Th17-cell development, and the role of oxysterols in breast cancer. We also discuss the value of oxysterol analysis in the diagnosis of disease.

scholarly journals Immunomodulatory Effects of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Fact or Fiction?

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo A. Leto Barone ◽  
Saami Khalifian ◽  
W. P. Andrew Lee ◽  
Gerald Brandacher
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Adipose Derived Stem Cells ◽  
Adipose Derived Stromal Cells

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are often referred to as adipose-derived stem cells due to their potential to undergo multilineage differentiation. Their promising role in tissue engineering and ability to modulate the immune system are the focus of extensive research. A number of clinical trials using ASCs are currently underway to better understand the role of such cell niche in enhancing or suppressing the immune response. If governable, such immunoregulatory role would find application in several conditions in which an immune response is present (i.e., autoimmune conditions) or feared (i.e., solid organ or reconstructive transplantation). Although allogeneic ASCs have been shown to prevent acute GvHD in both preclinical and clinical studies, their potential warrants further investigation. Well-designed and standardized clinical trials are necessary to prove the role of ASCs in the treatment of immune disorders or prevention of tissue rejection. In this paper we analyze the current literature on the role of ASCs in immunomodulationin vitroandin vivoand discuss their potential in regulating the immune system in the context of transplantation.

scholarly journals Non-invasive imaging of high-risk coronary plaque: the role of computed tomography and positron emission tomography

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (1113) ◽  
pp. 20190740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Bing ◽  
Krithika Loganath ◽  
Philip Adamson ◽  
David Newby ◽  
Alastair Moss
Keyword(s):  
Positron Emission Tomography ◽  
Molecular Imaging ◽  
Coronary Plaque ◽  
Emission Tomography ◽  
Plaque Morphology ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Positron Emission

Despite recent advances, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally. As such, there is a need to optimise our current diagnostic and risk stratification pathways in order to better deliver individualised preventative therapies. Non-invasive imaging of coronary artery plaque can interrogate multiple aspects of coronary atherosclerotic disease, including plaque morphology, anatomy and flow. More recently, disease activity is being assessed to provide mechanistic insights into in vivo atherosclerosis biology. Molecular imaging using positron emission tomography is unique in this field, with the potential to identify specific biological processes using either bespoke or re-purposed radiotracers. This review provides an overview of non-invasive vulnerable plaque detection and molecular imaging of coronary atherosclerosis.

scholarly journals Current methods in translational cancer research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Lee ◽  
Mihailo Miljanic ◽  
Todd Triplett ◽  
Craig Ramirez ◽  
Kyaw L. Aung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Screening Tools ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Clinical Screening ◽  
New Era ◽  
Clinical Methods ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Rapid Pace ◽  
Screening Platform ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Recent developments in pre-clinical screening tools, that more reliably predict the clinical effects and adverse events of candidate therapeutic agents, has ushered in a new era of drug development and screening. However, given the rapid pace with which these models have emerged, the individual merits of these translational research tools warrant careful evaluation in order to furnish clinical researchers with appropriate information to conduct pre-clinical screening in an accelerated and rational manner. This review assesses the predictive utility of both well-established and emerging pre-clinical methods in terms of their suitability as a screening platform for treatment response, ability to represent pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic drug properties, and lastly debates the translational limitations and benefits of these models. To this end, we will describe the current literature on cell culture, organoids, in vivo mouse models, and in silico computational approaches. Particular focus will be devoted to discussing gaps and unmet needs in the literature as well as current advancements and innovations achieved in the field, such as co-clinical trials and future avenues for refinement.

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