Potential utility of melatonin in deadly infectious diseases related to the overreaction of innate immune response and destructive inflammation: focus on COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dunxian X Tan ◽  
Ruegiger Hardeland

The high mortality of deadly virus infectious diseases including SARS, MERS, COVID-19, and avian flu is often caused by the uncontrolled innate immune response and destructive inflammation. The majority of viral diseases are self-limiting under the help of the activated adaptive immune system. This activity is cell proliferation dependent and thus, it requires several weeks to develop. Patients are vulnerable and mortality usually occurs during this window period. To control the innate immune response and reduce the inflammation during this period will increase the tolerance of patients and lowers the mortality in the deadly virus infection. Melatonin is a molecule that displays respective properties, since it downregulates the overreaction of the innate immune response and overshooting inflammation, but also promotes the adaptive immune activity. Many studies have reported the beneficial effects of melatonin on deadly virus infections in different animal models and its therapeutic efficacy in septic shock patients. Furthermore, melatonin has a great safety margin without serious adverse effects. We suggest the use of melatonin as an adjunctive or even regular therapy for deadly viral diseases, especially if no efficient direct anti-viral treatment is available.

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantin Ivanov ◽  
Ekaterina Garanina ◽  
Albert Rizvanov ◽  
Svetlana Khaiboullina

Inflammasomes are an essential part of the innate immune system. They are necessary for the development of a healthy immune response against infectious diseases. Inflammasome activation leads to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18, which stimulate the adaptive immune system. Inflammasomes activators can be used as adjuvants to provide and maintain the strength of the immune response. This review is focused on the mechanisms of action and the effects of adjuvants on inflammasomes. The therapeutic and prophylaxis significance of inflammasomes in infectious diseases is also discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1324
Author(s):  
Fernanda Raya Tonetti ◽  
Mikado Tomokiyo ◽  
Ramiro Ortiz Moyano ◽  
Sandra Quilodrán-Vega ◽  
Hikari Yamamuro ◽  
...  

Previously, we demonstrated that the nasal administration of Dolosigranulum pigrum 040417 differentially modulated the respiratory innate immune response triggered by the activation of Toll-like receptor 2 in infant mice. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of D. pigrum 040417 in the context of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection and characterize the role of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in the immunomodulatory properties of this respiratory commensal bacterium. The nasal administration of D. pigrum 040417 to infant mice significantly increased their resistance to pneumococcal infection, differentially modulated respiratory cytokines production, and reduced lung injuries. These effects were associated to the ability of the 040417 strain to modulate AMs function. Depletion of AMs significantly reduced the capacity of the 040417 strain to improve both the reduction of pathogen loads and the protection against lung tissue damage. We also demonstrated that the immunomodulatory properties of D. pigrum are strain-specific, as D. pigrum 030918 was not able to modulate respiratory immunity or to increase the resistance of mice to an S. pneumoniae infection. These findings enhanced our knowledge regarding the immunological mechanisms involved in modulation of respiratory immunity induced by beneficial respiratory commensal bacteria and suggested that particular strains could be used as next-generation probiotics.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Marina Andrei ◽  
Elena Cristina Andrei ◽  
Elena Camelia Stănciulescu ◽  
Mihaela Cezarina Mehedinți ◽  
Mihaela Jana Țuculină ◽  
...  

Gingivitis and periodontitis are induced by numerous pathogenic microbiota hosted in the subgingival biofilm that first trigger the innate immune response. Innate immune response is part of a homeostatic system which is the first line defence and defines the host inherited resistance to infection. Both genetic and environmental factors are involved in variable individual susceptibility to inflammation of periodontal tissues. That is why, although more than 600 bacterial species have been detected in the periodontal plaque, the type of bacteria incriminated in the development of the inflammation is still unclear. Moreover, in the last decade gene polymorphisms have been largely recognised as important conditions associated with increased susceptibility to periodontal diseases. Manipulating the immune response by the development of drugs that inhibit adverse host reactions and promote beneficial effects might be of therapeutic or prophylactic importance. This work intends to assess the importance of Toll-like receptors as main effectors of the innate immune response in the triggering, maintenance and progression of periodontal inflammation, as well as of the involvement of synthetic molecules targeting TLR signalling pathways in treating periodontal diseases.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. e1007437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayuri Gogoi ◽  
Kasturi Chandra ◽  
Mohsen Sarikhani ◽  
Ramya Ramani ◽  
Nagalingam Ravi Sundaresan ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 479
Author(s):  
Valeria Garcia-Castillo ◽  
Guillermo Marcial ◽  
Leonardo Albarracín ◽  
Mikado Tomokiyo ◽  
Patricia Clua ◽  
...  

Lactobacillus fermentum UCO-979C (Lf979C) beneficially modulates the cytokine response of gastric epithelial cells and macrophages after Helicobacter pylori infection in vitro. Nevertheless, no in vivo studies were performed with this strain to confirm its beneficial immunomodulatory effects. This work evaluated whether Lf979C improves protection against H. pylori infection in mice by modulating the innate immune response. In addition, we evaluated whether its exopolysaccharide (EPS) was involved in its beneficial effects. Lf979C significantly reduced TNF-α, IL-8, and MCP-1 and augmented IFN-γ and IL-10 in the gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected mice. The differential cytokine profile induced by Lf979C in H. pylori-infected mice correlated with an improved reduction in the pathogen gastric colonization and protection against inflammatory damage. The purified EPS of Lf979C reduced IL-8 and enhanced IL-10 levels in the gastric mucosa of infected mice, while no effect was observed for IFN-γ. This work demonstrates for the first time the in vivo ability of Lf979C to increase resistance against H. pylori infection by modulating the gastric innate immune response. In addition, we advanced knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of Lf979C by demonstrating that its EPS is partially responsible for its immunomodulatory effect.


2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (6) ◽  
pp. R1644-R1650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul C. Dimayuga ◽  
Xiaoning Zhao ◽  
Juliana Yano ◽  
Kuang-Yuh Chyu

Atherosclerosis is a disease associated with aging and is subject to modulation by both the innate and adaptive immune system. The time course of age-dependent changes in immune regulation in the context of atherosclerosis has not been characterized. This study aims to describe alteration of the immune responses to oxidized LDL (oxLDL) during aging that is associated with changes in plaque size and phenotype in apoE(−/−) mice. Mice fed a Western diet were euthanized at 15–17, 36, or >52 wk of age. The descending aortas were stained for assessment of extent of atherosclerosis. Plaque lipid, macrophage, and collagen content were evaluated in aortic sinus lesions. The adaptive immune response to oxLDL was assessed using anti-malondialdehyde-oxidized LDL (MDA-LDL) and copper-oxidized LDL (Cu-oxLDL) IgG, and the innate immune response was assessed using anti-Cu-oxLDL and phosphorylcholine (PC) IgM. Aging was associated with a significant increase in plaque area and collagen content and a decrease in plaque macrophage and lipid content. MDA-LDL IgG significantly increased at 36 wk but was reduced in mice >52 wk. Cu-oxLDL IgG increased with age and IgG-apoB immune complexes were increased in the >52 wk group. Cu-oxLDL and PC IgM significantly increased with age. The expression of splenic cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 increased with age. Our study shows a generalized increase in innate immune responses associated with progression of atherosclerosis and a less inflammatory and less lipid-containing plaque phenotype during aging. The adaptive immune response appeared to be less generalized, with a specific reduction in MDA-LDL IgG.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14273-e14273
Author(s):  
Shuchi Gulati ◽  
Rachel Vachon ◽  
Shireen Desai ◽  
Aubrey Steele ◽  
Sarah Palackdharry ◽  
...  

e14273 Background: Cetuximab is a recombinant chimeric monoclonal IgG1 antibody which binds specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and stimulates an innate immune response by promoting natural killer (NK) cell mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Cetuximab is approved as a single agent in relapsed/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). PD-1 check-point inhibitors which release the inhibition of the adaptive immune response, are also approved as single agents in this setting. However the response rates with these drugs, when used individually range from 10-20%. We hypothesized that adding a PD-L1 inhibitor, durvalumab to cetuximab would cause anti-tumor synergy by activating the innate as well as adaptive immune systems without compromising safety in this phase-2 trial in R/M HNSCC patients who have progressed on platinum based therapy. Methods: Blood samples were collected from the first six enrolled patients prior to starting treatment and 4 weeks after the first combined dose of cetuximab and durvalumab. PBMCs were isolated, stained with a live/dead stain as well as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD56, CD16 and NK2GD (natural killer group 2 member D activation receptor) antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokine levels in plasma were measured using standardized ELISA assay kits. Results: Compared to pre-treatment levels, post-treatment samples showed an increase in activated cytokine producing NK cells (CD56bright/CD16-) in all but one patient. Activated cytotoxic NK cell subpopulations (CD56dim/CD16+) showed variable results post-treatment. CD8+ T cells were similar pre and post-treatment in 5 patients. TGF-b levels increased in 5 patients and decreased in 1 patient post-treatment. Interestingly, the patient with decreased TGF-b levels post-treatment had an almost doubling of CD8+ T-cells and an increase in activated cytokine producing NK cells (CD56bright/CD16-). Conclusions: The clinical trial is ongoing and therefore, comparison to clinical response has not yet been analyzed. However, these findings support the combination of cetuximab and durvalumab in R/M HNSCC given the activation of an NK-cell mediated innate immune response in these patient samples. Clinical trial information: NCT03691714.


2008 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 543-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A. Staykova ◽  
David Liñares ◽  
Susan A. Fordham ◽  
Judith T. Paridaen ◽  
David O. Willenborg

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e1008345
Author(s):  
Mayuri Gogoi ◽  
Kasturi Chandra ◽  
Mohsen Sarikhani ◽  
Ramya Ramani ◽  
Nagalingam Ravi Sundaresan ◽  
...  

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie J. Knapek ◽  
Hanah M. Georges ◽  
Hana Van Campen ◽  
Jeanette V. Bishop ◽  
Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann ◽  
...  

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) fetal infections occur in two forms; persistent infection (PI) or transient infection (TI), depending on what stage of gestation the fetus is infected. Examination of lymphoid organs from both PI and TI fetuses reveals drastically different fetal responses, dependent upon the developmental stage of the fetal immune system. Total RNA was extracted from the thymuses and spleens of uninfected control, PI, and TI fetuses collected on day 190 of gestation to test the hypothesis that BVDV infection impairs the innate and adaptive immune response in the fetal thymus and spleen of both infection types. Transcripts of genes representing the innate immune response and adaptive immune response genes were assayed by Reverse Transcription quatitative PCR (RT-qPCR) (2−ΔΔCq; fold change). Genes of the innate immune response, interferon (IFN) inducible genes, antigen presentation to lymphocytes, and activation of B cells were downregulated in day 190 fetal PI thymuses compared to controls. In contrast, innate immune response genes were upregulated in TI fetal thymuses compared to controls and tended to be upregulated in TI fetal spleens. Genes associated with the innate immune system were not different in PI fetal spleens; however, adaptive immune system genes were downregulated, indicating that PI fetal BVDV infection has profound inhibitory effects on the expression of genes involved in the innate and adaptive immune response. The downregulation of these genes in lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells in the developing thymus and spleen may explain the incomplete clearance of BVDV and the persistence of the virus in PI animals while the upregulation of the TI innate immune response indicates a more mature immune system, able to clear the virus.


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