scholarly journals Selenium, Selenoproteins, and Immunity

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Avery ◽  
Peter Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Experimental Systems ◽  
Physiological Processes

Selenium is an essential micronutrient that plays a crucial role in development and a wide variety of physiological processes including effect immune responses. The immune system relies on adequate dietary selenium intake and this nutrient exerts its biological effects mostly through its incorporation into selenoproteins. The selenoproteome contains 25 members in humans that exhibit a wide variety of functions. The development of high-throughput omic approaches and novel bioinformatics tools has led to new insights regarding the effects of selenium and selenoproteins in human immuno-biology. Equally important are the innovative experimental systems that have emerged to interrogate molecular mechanisms underlying those effects. This review presents a summary of the current understanding of the role of selenium and selenoproteins in regulating immune cell functions and how dysregulation of these processes may lead to inflammation or immune-related diseases.

scholarly journals Neuroinflammation and Its Impact on the Pathogenesis of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed M. Almutairi ◽  
Farzane Sivandzade ◽  
Thamer H. Albekairi ◽  
Faleh Alqahtani ◽  
Luca Cucullo
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Cell Infiltration ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Cytokine Levels

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 include dry cough, difficult breathing, fever, fatigue, and may lead to pneumonia and respiratory failure. There are significant gaps in the current understanding of whether SARS-CoV-2 attacks the CNS directly or through activation of the peripheral immune system and immune cell infiltration. Although the modality of neurological impairments associated with COVID-19 has not been thoroughly investigated, the latest studies have observed that SARS-CoV-2 induces neuroinflammation and may have severe long-term consequences. Here we review the literature on possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 induced-neuroinflammation. Activation of the innate immune system is associated with increased cytokine levels, chemokines, and free radicals in the SARS-CoV-2-induced pathogenic response at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). BBB disruption allows immune/inflammatory cell infiltration into the CNS activating immune resident cells (such as microglia and astrocytes). This review highlights the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in COVID-19-induced neuroinflammation, which may lead to neuronal death. A better understanding of these mechanisms will help gain substantial knowledge about the potential role of SARS-CoV-2 in neurological changes and plan possible therapeutic intervention strategies.

MicroRNAs in the regulation of immune cell functions – implications for atherosclerotic vascular disease

2012 ◽  
Vol 107 (04) ◽  
pp. 626-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alma Zernecke
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Chronic Inflammatory Disease ◽  
Vascular Pathology ◽  
Lipid Uptake ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease ◽  
Cell Functions

SummaryRegarded as a chronic inflammatory disease of the vessel wall, the development of atherosclerotic lesions is shaped by immune responses and their regulation. Macrophages and dendritic cells are positioned at the crossroad of innate and adaptive immune responses by sensing atherogenic danger signals and by taking up and presenting antigens. T helper cells and auto-antibodies produced by B cells, together with their cytokine responses in turn modulate atheroprogression. In addition, platelets contribute to atherosclerosis by multiple pathways. microRNAs (miRNAs) that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression may thus critically control immune cell differentiation and functions during plaque evolution. This review summarises the role of miRNAs in regulating lipid uptake and expression of inflammatory mediators in monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells, in lymphocyte functions with a focus on T helper cell responses, as well as in platelet biology, and the implications of altering these functions in vascular pathology and atherosclerosis. T systematically survey miRNA functions in controlling molecular mechanisms and immune responses in atherosclerosis holds potential for the development of novel miRNA-based strategies for therapies targeting inflammation and immunity in atherosclerosis.

scholarly journals Sex differences in severity and mortality from COVID-19: are males more vulnerable?

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Pradhan ◽  
Per-Erik Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shown high infection and mortality rates all over the world, and despite the global efforts, there is so far no specific therapy available for COVID-19. Interestingly, while the severity and mortality of COVID-19 are higher in males than in females, the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. In this review, we explore sex-related differences that may be contributing factors to the observed male-biased mortality from COVID-19. Males are considered the weaker sex in aspects related to endurance and infection control. Studies show that viral RNA clearance is delayed in males with COVID-19. A recent study has indicated that the testis can harbor coronavirus, and consequently, males show delayed viral clearance. However, the role of testis involvement in COVID-19 severity and mortality needs further research. Males and females show a distinct difference in immune system responses with females eliciting stronger immune responses to pathogens. This difference in immune system responses may be a major contributing factor to viral load, disease severity, and mortality. In addition, differences in sex hormone milieus could also be a determinant of viral infections as estrogen has immunoenhancing effects while testosterone has immunosuppressive effects. The sex-specific severity of COVID-19 infections indicates that further research on understanding the sex differences is needed. Inclusion of both males and females in basic research and clinical trials is required to provide critical information on sex-related differences that may help to better understand disease outcome and therapy.

scholarly journals Sexual-dimorphism in human immune system aging

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eladio J. Márquez ◽  
Cheng-han Chung ◽  
Radu Marches ◽  
Robert J. Rossi ◽  
Djamel Nehar-Belaid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Male Specific

AbstractDifferences in immune function and responses contribute to health- and life-span disparities between sexes. However, the role of sex in immune system aging is not well understood. Here, we characterize peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 172 healthy adults 22-93 years of age using ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, and flow-cytometry. These data reveal a shared epigenomic signature of aging including declining naïve T cell and increasing monocyte/cytotoxic cell functions. These changes were greater in magnitude in men and accompanied by a male-specific genomic decline in B-cell specific loci. Age-related epigenomic changes first spike around late-thirties with similar timing and magnitude between sexes, whereas the second spike is earlier and stronger in men. Unexpectedly, genomic differences between sexes increase after age 65, with men having higher innate and pro-inflammatory activity and lower adaptive activity. Impact of age and sex on immune cell genomes can be visualized at https://immune-aging.jax.org to provide insights into future studies.

scholarly journals Temporal Regulation of Cytokines by the Circadian Clock

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsuhito Nakao
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Circadian Clock ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Temporal Regulation ◽  
Cytokine Induction ◽  
Clock Proteins ◽  
New Strategies

Several parameters of the immune system exhibit oscillations with a period of approximately 24 hours that refers to “circadian rhythms.” Such daily variations in host immune system status might evolve to maximize immune reactions at times when encounters with pathogens are most likely to occur. However, the mechanisms behind circadian immunity have not been fully understood. Recent studies reveal that the internal time keeping system “circadian clock” plays a key role in driving the daily rhythms evident in the immune system. Importantly, several studies unveil molecular mechanisms of how certain clock proteins (e.g., BMAL1 and CLOCK) temporally regulate expression of cytokines. Since cytokines are crucial mediators for shaping immune responses, this review mainly summarizes the new knowledge that highlights an emerging role of the circadian clock as a novel regulator of cytokines. A greater understanding of circadian regulation of cytokines will be important to exploit new strategies to protect host against infection by efficient cytokine induction or to treat autoimmunity and allergy by ameliorating excessive activity of cytokines.

scholarly journals Diet-Regulating Microbiota and Host Immune System in Liver Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6326
Author(s):  
Jung A. Eom ◽  
Goohyun Kwon ◽  
Nayeon Kim ◽  
Eunju Park ◽  
Sungmin Won ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Chronic Liver Disease ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Control Of Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Intestinal Immune System

The gut microbiota has been known to modulate the immune responses in chronic liver diseases. Recent evidence suggests that effects of dietary foods on health care and human diseases are related to both the immune reaction and the microbiome. The gut-microbiome and intestinal immune system play a central role in the control of bacterial translocation-induced liver disease. Dysbiosis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, translocation, endotoxemia, and the direct effects of metabolites are the main events in the gut-liver axis, and immune responses act on every pathways of chronic liver disease. Microbiome-derived metabolites or bacteria themselves regulate immune cell functions such as recognition or activation of receptors, the control of gene expression by epigenetic change, activation of immune cells, and the integration of cellular metabolism. Here, we reviewed recent reports about the immunologic role of gut microbiotas in liver disease, highlighting the role of diet in chronic liver disease.

scholarly journals The Role of miRNAs in Immune Cell Development, Immune Cell Activation, and Tumor Immunity: With a Focus on Macrophages and Natural Killer Cells

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Jun Xu ◽  
Hong Tao Hu ◽  
Hai Liang Li ◽  
Suhwan Chang
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Stromal Compartment ◽  
Cell Functions

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the primary arena where tumor cells and the host immune system interact. Bidirectional communication between tumor cells and the associated stromal cell types within the TME influences disease initiation and progression, as well as tumor immunity. Macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells are crucial components of the stromal compartment and display either pro- or anti-tumor properties, depending on the expression of key regulators. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as such regulators. They affect several immune cell functions closely related to tumor evasion of the immune system. This review discusses the role of miRNAs in the differentiation, maturation, and activation of immune cells as well as tumor immunity, focusing particularly on macrophages and NK cells.

scholarly journals The Scribble Complex PDZ Proteins in Immune Cell Polarities

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Dante Barreda ◽  
Luis H. Gutiérrez-González ◽  
Erasmo Martínez-Cordero ◽  
Carlos Cabello-Gutiérrez ◽  
Rommel Chacón-Salinas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Immunological Synapse ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Wide Range

hScrib and hDlg belong to the PDZ family of proteins. Since the identification of these highly phylogenetically conserved scaffolds, an increasing amount of experiments has elucidated the roles of hScrib and hDlg in a variety of cell functions. Remarkably, their participation during the establishment of polarity in epithelial cells is well documented. Although the role of both proteins in the immune system is scantly known, it has become a growing field of investigation. Here, we summarize the interactions and functions of hScrib and hDlg1, which participate in diverse functions involving cell polarization in immune cells, and discuss their relevance in the immune cell biology. The fundamental role of hScrib and hDlg1 during the establishment of the immunological synapse, hence T cell activation, and the recently described role of hScrib in reactive oxygen species production in macrophages and of hDlg1 in cytokine production by dendritic cells highlight the importance of both proteins in immune cell biology. The expression of these proteins in other leukocytes can be anticipated and needs to be confirmed. Due to their multiple interaction domains, there is a wide range of possible interactions of hScrib and hDlg1 that remains to be explored in the immune system.

scholarly journals The Adaptive Immune System in Multiple Sclerosis: An Estrogen-Mediated Point of View

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Maglione ◽  
Simona Rolla ◽  
Stefania Federica De Mercanti ◽  
Santina Cutrupi ◽  
Marinella Clerico
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Future Path

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system inflammatory disease that leads to demyelination and neurodegeneration. The third trimester of pregnancy, which is characterized by high levels of estrogens, has been shown to be associated with reduced relapse rates compared with the rates before pregnancy. These effects could be related to the anti-inflammatory properties of estrogens, which orchestrate the reshuffling of the immune system toward immunotolerance to allow for fetal growth. The action of these hormones is mediated by the transcriptional regulation activity of estrogen receptors (ERs). Estrogen levels and ER expression define a specific balance of immune cell types. In this review, we explore the role of estradiol (E2) and ERs in the adaptive immune system, with a focus on estrogen-mediated cellular, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms related to immune tolerance and neuroprotection in MS. The epigenome dynamics of immune systems are described as key molecular mechanisms that act on the regulation of immune cell identity. This is a completely unexplored field, suggesting a future path for more extensive research on estrogen-induced coregulatory complexes and molecular circuitry as targets for therapeutics in MS.

scholarly journals Exosome: The Regulator of the Immune System in Sepsis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Qiu ◽  
Jing Zhou ◽  
Jin Zhang ◽  
Youjing Dong ◽  
Yang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Immune Disorders ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Novel Target ◽  
Organ Dysfunctions ◽  
Body Response

Sepsis is a syndrome comprised of a series of life-threatening organ dysfunctions caused by a maladjusted body response to infection with no effective treatment. There is growing evidence that the immune system plays a core role in sepsis. Pathogens cause abnormal host immune response and eventually lead to immunosuppression, which is an important cause of death in patients with sepsis. Exosomes are vesicles derived from double invagination of plasma membrane, associating with immune responses closely. The cargos delivered by exosomes into recipient cells, especially immune cells, effectively alter their response and functions in sepsis. In this review, we focus on the effects and mechanisms of exosomes on multiple immune cells, as well as the role of immune cell-derived exosomes in sepsis. This is helpful for us to have an in-depth understanding of the mechanism of immune disorders in sepsis. Exosomes is also expected to become a novel target and therapeutic approach for sepsis.

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