Indeterminism in the Immune System: The Case of Somatic Hypermutation

PARADIGMI ◽  
2011 ◽  
pp. 49-65
Author(s):  
Bartlomiej Swiatczak
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Random Process ◽  
Somatic Hypermutation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Life Sciences ◽  
Negative Answer ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Biological World

One of the fundamental questions of life sciences is one of whether there are genuinely random biological processes. An affirmative or negative answer to this question may have important methodological consequences. It appears that a number of biological processes are explicitly classified as random. One of them is the so-called somatic hypermutation. However, closer analysis of somatic hypermutation reveals that it is not a genuinely random process. Somatic hypermutation is called random because the exact outcome of this process is difficult to predict in practice. The case of somatic hypermutation suggests that there may be no scientific evidence of a single case of ontologically random process in the biological world.

Influence of the Intestinal Microbiota on Diabetes Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 1603-1615
Author(s):  
Eva Alvarez-Vieites ◽  
Arora López-Santamarina ◽  
José M. Miranda ◽  
Alicia del Carmen Mondragón ◽  
Alexandre Lamas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Focused Attention ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Experimental Animals ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
The Relationship

In recent decades, there has been a very rapid increase in the prevalence of diabetes globally, with serious health and economic implications. Although today there are several therapeutic treatments for this disease, these do not address the causes of the disease and have serious side effects, so it is necessary to seek new treatments to replace or complement the existing ones. Among these complementary treatments, a strong link between the intestinal microbiota and diabetes has been demonstrated, which has focused attention on the use of biotherapy to regulate the function of the intestinal microbiota and, thus, treat diabetes. In this way, the main objective of this work is to provide a review of the latest scientific evidence on diabetes, gathering information about new trends in its management, and especially, the influence of the intestinal microbiota and microbiome on this pathology. It is possible to conclude that the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and diabetes is carried out through alterations in energy metabolism, the immune system, changes in intestinal permeability, and a state of low-intensity systemic inflammation. Although, currently, most of the experimental work, using probiotics for diabetes management, has been done on experimental animals, the results obtained are promising. Thus, the modification of the microbiota through biotherapy has shown to improve the symptoms and severity of diabetes through various mechanisms related to these alterations.

scholarly journals Enantioselective Catalytic C-H Amidations: An Highlight

Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 471
Author(s):  
Eleonora Tosi ◽  
Renata Marcia de Figueiredo ◽  
Jean-Marc Campagne
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Chemical Synthesis ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Medicinal Chemistry ◽  
Life Sciences ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Chiral Molecules ◽  
Material Sciences ◽  
Innovative Approaches

The crucial role played by compounds bearing amide functions, not only in biological processes but also in several fields of chemistry, life polymers and material sciences, has brought about many significant discoveries and innovative approaches for their chemical synthesis. Indeed, a plethora of strategies has been developed to reach such moieties. Amides within chiral molecules are often associated with biological activity especially in life sciences and medicinal chemistry. In most of these cases, their synthesis requires extensive rethinking methodologies. In the very last years (2019–2020), enantioselective C-H functionalization has appeared as a straightforward alternative to reach chiral amides. Therein, an overview on these transformations within this timeframe is going to be given.

scholarly journals Original SARS-CoV-2 vaccine model

2020 ◽  
pp. 128-132
Author(s):  
I. E. Khoroshilov
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Respiratory System ◽  
Clinical Picture ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Human Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Oral Transmission ◽  
Coronavirus Infection

The new coronavirus infection COVID-19 that appeared at the end of 2019 is signifi cantly different from the viral infections that existed previously. The new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus combines two transmission routes—aerosol and oral-intestinal. The targets for this virus are both cells of the respiratory system and the human gastrointestinal tract. Along with the classical form of this disease, the so-called “gastrointestinal” form is described, in which the clinical picture is dominated by signs of damage to the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia). These symptoms are detected, in general, in 20% of patients with COVID-19. More than 80% of patients have mild forms, a third of these individuals had diarrhea. Although SARSCoV-2 viral RNA is detected in faeces samples of patients with COVID-19, it does not carry an infectious onset, and not a single case of fecal-oral transmission has been confi rmed. Since the intestines are the most powerful organ of our immune system, we can introduce SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA into the gastrointestinal tract to ensure the formation of immunity to this infection.

scholarly journals Role of Immunity in Pathogenesis of Psychosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafa Abdelghaffar ◽  
Oussama Sidhom ◽  
Lilia Laadhar ◽  
Rym Rafrafi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Antineuronal Antibodies ◽  
System Components ◽  
The Brain

The involvement of immunity in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and related psychoses was suspected a century ago but was shadowed by the dopaminergic hypothesis after the discovery of antipsychotics. We currently know that this latter theory has many limits and cannot account for the wide variety of psychotic conditions. The immune-inflammatory theory is now one of the most promising axes of research in terms of pathogenesis of several mental health conditions. Immunity and inflammation play a role at least in a subgroup of patients with psychosis. The immune system is complex with a variety of components and mediators that can all have effects on the brain and thus mediate psychiatric symptoms. In this chapter we will explore the scientific evidence of the role of immune system in pathophysiology of psychosis. The sections of this chapter will discuss the role of innate system components (cytokines, microglia, inflammation.), the role of adaptive system (lymphocytes and antibodies) with a section focusing on auto-immunity and particularly antineuronal antibodies. Finally we will discuss how this research can impact patients management and elaborate recommendations for future research.

scholarly journals 19-Hydroxy steroids in the aromatase reaction: Review on expression and potential functions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatjana Abaffy ◽  
Hiroaki Matsunami
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Analytical Sensitivity ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Scientific evidence related to the aromatase reaction in various biological processes spanning from mid-1960 is abundant, however, as our analytical sensitivity increases, a new look at the old chemical reaction is necessary. Here, we review an irreversible aromatase reaction from the substrate androstenedione. It proceeds in 3 consecutive steps. In the first two steps, 19-hydroxy steroids are produced. They can dissociate from the enzyme complex and either accumulate in tissues or enter the blood.In this review, we want to highlight the potential importance of these 19-hydroxy steroids in various physiological and pathological conditions. We focus primarily on 19-hydroxy steroids, and in particular on the 19-hydroxyandrostenedione produced by the incomplete aromatase reaction. Using a PubMed database and search terms aromatase reaction,19-hydroxylation of androgens and steroid measurements, we detail the chemistry of the aromatase reaction and list previous and current methods used to measure 19-hydroxy steroids. We present the evidence of the existence of 19-hydroxy steroids in the brain tissue, ovaries, testes, adrenal glands, prostate cancer and also during pregnancy and parturition and in Cushing’s disease. Based on the available literature, a potential involvement of 19-hydroxy steroids in the brain differentiation process, sperm motility, ovarian function, and hypertension is suggested and warrant future research.We hope that with the advancement of highly specific and sensitive analytical methods, future research into 19-hydroxy steroids will be encouraged, as much remains to be learned and discovered.

Animal production and food: real problems and paranoia

1991 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Blaxter ◽  
A. J. F. Webster
Keyword(s):  
Food Policy ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Rational Solutions ◽  
Pressure Groups

AbstractThe scientific and technological expansion of British agriculture between the mid 1930s and mid 1980s can be attributed primarily to the provision of favourable and stable prices and only secondly to government support of research and development. These conditions have changed. Most government-funded research in agriculture is now directed to the new biological sciences, molecular biology and transgenics. It is uncertain whether those at the frontiers of biotechnology are aware of the limits and constraints placed on animal production. Equally, it is uncertain whether the commercial supply services to agriculture will be prepared to meet the costs of transferring this new technology into production. These real problems facing agriculture are amenable to rational solutions. Of greater concern are food scares whipped up by pressure groups and government responses taken in the absence of, or in defiance of, scientific evidence.Two examples are considered, one trivial, the other deadly serious. The first involves the recommendation that pregnant women ‘should not eat liver’ based on an unpublished report of a single case of birth defects. The second example chosen for discussion is the alleged causal relationship between the intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and coronary heart disease. The inadequacy of the simple distinction between saturated and unsaturated fats is briefly reviewed in the light of new knowledge relating to specific SFA, monounsaturates and the distinction between polyunsaturates of the linoleic and linolenic series. Evidence from large epidemiological studies is marshalled to demonstrate that there is no good case to support the conclusion of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA, 1984) that the nation's diet should be changed to reduce the proportion of saturated fats. The Department of Health is invited to recall COMA to reconsider their recommendations in the light of new evidence.

Cross-Cultural Differences in Core Concepts of Humans as a Biological Species

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 171-185
Author(s):  
Alexander Liu ◽  
Sara Jill Unsworth
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Biological Species ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Human Patient ◽  
Cross Cultural Differences ◽  
Western Psychology ◽  
Core Concepts ◽  
Biological World ◽  
Multiple Species

An intuition that has been identified as a core concept in folkbiological thought (i.e., intuitive notions about the biological world) is the tendency to view humans as one biological species among many. Previous research has shown that in a category-based induction task, children tend to privilege humans as a basis for inferring that multiple species possess similar biological properties, but that culture and experience can affect the development of these anthropocentric tendencies. It has been assumed that anthropocentrism disappears before adulthood, though very little research has been conducted to test this assumption. In the present research, adults studying oriental medicine, western biology, or western psychology completed a category-based induction task as well as a ‘human patient’ task designed to measure cultural differences in concepts of biological processes. The results showed that anthropocentric reasoning still occurs in adulthood and that there are cultural differences in the likelihood to exhibit these tendencies.

Roles of Secreted Phospholipases A2 in the Mammalian Immune System

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 1201-1208
Author(s):  
Igor Krizaj
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Acute Inflammation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Phospholipases A2 ◽  
Protective Reaction ◽  
Severe Pathology ◽  
Mammalian Immune System

Secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) molecules constitute a family of proteins that are involved functionally in many biological processes. In particular, they participate in diverse pathophysiological settings as enzymes that release free fatty acids and lysophospholipids from phospholipids in biological membranes, or as ligands for various cellular receptors. In this review the confirmed or expected functions of sPLA2s in the mammalian immune system are surveyed. Some of the twelve mammalian sPLA2 molecules constitute part of the so-called innate immune system by virtue of their antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities. They are also involved in acute inflammation, a protective reaction of the body to infection or injury. The acute inflammation sometimes escapes regulation, becomes chronic and can evolve into a severe pathology. One or more types of sPLA2 are involved in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and cancer. sPLA2s are thus important therapeutic targets as well as biotherapeutic molecules. Improving the selectivity of inhibitors of sPLA2s to be able to target a particular sPLA2 could therefore be one of the most important tasks for future research.

scholarly journals Alpha-2-Macroglobulin, a Hypochlorite-Regulated Chaperone and Immune System Modulator

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan H. Cater ◽  
Mark R. Wilson ◽  
Amy R. Wyatt
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factors ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Synovial Fluid ◽  
Amyloid Beta ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Cerebral Spinal Fluid ◽  
Interstitial Fluid ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Ancient Proteins

Alpha-macroglobulins are ancient proteins that include monomeric, dimeric, and tetrameric family members. In humans, and many other mammals, the predominant alpha-macroglobulin is alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M), a tetrameric protein that is constitutively abundant in biological fluids (e.g., blood plasma, cerebral spinal fluid, synovial fluid, ocular fluid, and interstitial fluid).α2M is best known for its remarkable ability to inhibit a broad spectrum of proteases, but the full gamut of its activities affects diverse biological processes. For example,α2M can stabilise and facilitate the clearance of the Alzheimer’s disease-associated amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide. Additionally,α2M can influence the signalling of cytokines and growth factors including neurotrophins. The results of several studies support the idea that the functions ofα2M are uniquely regulated by hypochlorite, an oxidant that is generated during inflammation, which induces the nativeα2M tetramer to dissociate into dimers. This review will discuss the evidence for hypochlorite-induced regulation ofα2M and the possible implications of this in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

The leucocyte β2 (CD18) integrins: the structure, functional regulation and signalling properties

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suet-Mien Tan
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Motile Cells ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Functional Regulation ◽  
Β2 Integrins

Leucocytes are highly motile cells. Their ability to migrate into tissues and organs is dependent on cell adhesion molecules. The integrins are a family of heterodimeric transmembrane cell adhesion molecules that are also signalling receptors. They are involved in many biological processes, including the development of metazoans, immunity, haemostasis, wound healing and cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. The leucocyte-restricted β2 integrins comprise four members, namely αLβ2, αMβ2, αXβ2 and αDβ2, which are required for a functional immune system. In this paper, the structure, functional regulation and signalling properties of these integrins are reviewed.

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