scholarly journals Recent Updates on Research Models and Tools to Study Virus–Host Interactions at the Placenta

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Kyung Lee ◽  
Soo-Jin Oh ◽  
Hosun Park ◽  
Ok Sarah Shin
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Cellular Targets ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Hofbauer Cells ◽  
Maternal Fetal Transmission ◽  
Immunological Barrier

The placenta is a unique mixed organ, composed of both maternal and fetal tissues, that is formed only during pregnancy and serves as the key physiological and immunological barrier preventing maternal–fetal transmission of pathogens. Several viruses can circumvent this physical barrier and enter the fetal compartment, resulting in miscarriage, preterm birth, and birth defects, including microcephaly. The mechanisms underlying viral strategies to evade the protective role of placenta are poorly understood. Here, we reviewed the role of trophoblasts and Hofbauer cells in the placenta and have highlighted characteristics of vertical and perinatal infections caused by a wide range of viruses. Moreover, we explored current progress and future opportunities in cellular targets, pathogenesis, and underlying biological mechanisms of congenital viral infections, as well as novel research models and tools to study the placenta.

scholarly journals Albizia chinensis bark extract ameliorates the genotoxic effect of cyclophosphamide

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Nabil ◽  
Entesar E. Hassan ◽  
Neven S. Ghaly ◽  
Fawzia A. Aly ◽  
Farouk R. Melek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Bark Extract ◽  
Repeated Treatment ◽  
Mouse Bone Marrow ◽  
Sperm Abnormalities ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Doses

Abstract Background The genus Albizia (Leguminoseae) is used in folk medicine for the treatment of a wide range of ailments. Recently, saponins from plant origin have attracted much attention. Saponins are recorded to have a broad range of biological and pharmacological activities. This study was performed to evaluate the protective role of Albizia chinensis bark methanolic extract (MEAC) against the genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) using different mutagenic parameters. Results The results showed that MEAC induced an inhibitory effect against chromosomal aberrations of CP in mouse bone marrow and spermatocytes. Such effect was found to be significant (p < 0.01) with a dose of 100 mg/kg treated once for 24 h and also after repeated treatment at a dose of 25 mg/kg for 7 days. In sperm abnormalities, the protective effect of Albizia extract showed a dose-related relationship. Different doses of MEAC (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.01) ameliorated sperm abnormalities induced by CP dose-dependently. The percentage of sperm abnormalities was decreased to 5.14 ± 0.72 in the group of animals treated with CP plus MEAC (100 mg/kg) indicating an inhibitory effect of about 50%. Conclusion MEAC at the doses examined was non-genotoxic compared to control (negative) and exhibited a protective role against CP genotoxicity.

scholarly journals Spontaneous Abortion and Chikungunya Infection: Pathological Findings

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 554
Author(s):  
Natália Salomão ◽  
Michelle Brendolin ◽  
Kíssila Rabelo ◽  
Mayumi Wakimoto ◽  
Ana Maria de Filippis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Spontaneous Abortion ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chorionic Villi ◽  
Decidual Cells ◽  
Hofbauer Cells ◽  
Hematoxylin And Eosin ◽  
Maternal Fetal Transmission

Intrauterine transmission of the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) during early pregnancy has rarely been reported, although vertical transmission has been observed in newborns. Here, we report four cases of spontaneous abortion in women who became infected with CHIKV between the 11th and 17th weeks of pregnancy. Laboratorial confirmation of the infection was conducted by RT-PCR on a urine sample for one case, and the other three were by detection of IgM anti-CHIKV antibodies. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and an electron microscopy assay allowed us to find histopathological, such as inflammatory infiltrate in the decidua and chorionic villi, as well as areas of calcification, edema and the deposition of fibrinoid material, and ultrastructural changes, such as mitochondria with fewer cristae and ruptured membranes, endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cisterns, dispersed chromatin in the nuclei and the presence of an apoptotic body in case 1. In addition, by immunohistochemistry (IHC), we found a positivity for the anti-CHIKV antibody in cells of the endometrial glands, decidual cells, syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, Hofbauer cells and decidual macrophages. Electron microscopy also helped in identifying virus-like particles in the aborted material with a diameter of 40–50 nm, which was consistent with the size of CHIKV particles in the literature. Our findings in this study suggest early maternal fetal transmission, adding more evidence on the role of CHIKV in fetal death.

The role of PCSK9 in infectious diseases.

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Magnasco ◽  
Chiara Sepulcri ◽  
Roberta Maria Antonello ◽  
Stefano Di Bella ◽  
Laura Labate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Malaria Infection ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Pcsk9 Inhibition ◽  
Sepsis And Septic Shock

Background: In recent years, many aspects of the physiological role of PCSK9 have been elucidated, particularly regarding its role in lipid metabolism, cardiovascular risk, and its role in innate immunity. Increasing evidence is available about the involvement of PCSK9 in the pathogenesis of viral infections, mainly HCV, and the regulation of host response to bacterial infections, primarily sepsis and septic shock. Moreover, the action of PCSK9 has been investigated as a crucial step in the pathogenesis of malaria infection and disease severity. Objective: This paper aims to review the available published literature on the role of PCSK9 in a wide array of infectious diseases. Conclusion: Besides the ongoing investigation on PCSK9 inhibition among HIV-infected patients to treat HIV- and ART-related hyperlipidemia, preclinical studies indicate how PCSK9 is involved in reducing the replication of HCV. Interestingly, high plasmatic PCSK9 levels have been described in patients with sepsis. Moreover, a protective role of PCSK9 inhibition has also been proposed against dengue and SARS-CoV-2 viral infections. Finally, a loss of function in the PCSK9-encoding gene has been reported to reduce malaria infection mortality.

scholarly journals A functional spleen contributes to afucosylated IgG in humans

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Wojcik ◽  
David E. Schmidt ◽  
Lisa A. de Neef ◽  
Minke A. E. Rab ◽  
Bob Meek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Lymphoid Organ ◽  
Immune Effector ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Humoral Responses ◽  
First Time

AbstractAs a lymphoid organ, the spleen hosts a wide range of immune cell populations, which not only remove blood-borne antigens, but also generate and regulate antigen-specific immune responses. In particular, the splenic microenvironment has been demonstrated to play a prominent role in adaptive immune responses to enveloped viral infections and alloantigens. During both types of immunizations, antigen-specific immunoglobulins G (IgGs) have been characterized by the reduced amount of fucose present on N-linked glycans of the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region. These glycans are essential for mediating the induction of immune effector functions. Therefore, we hypothesized that a spleen may modulate humoral responses and serve as a preferential site for afucosylated IgG responses, which potentially play a role in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) pathogenesis. To determine the role of the spleen in IgG-Fc glycosylation, we performed IgG subclass-specific liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis of Fc glycosylation in a large cohort of individuals splenectomized due to trauma, due to ITP, or spherocytosis. IgG-Fc fucosylation was consistently increased after splenectomy, while no effects for IgG-Fc galactosylation and sialylation were observed. An increase in IgG1- and IgG2/3-Fc fucosylation level upon splenectomy has been reported here for the first time, suggesting that immune responses occurring in the spleen may be particularly prone to generate afucosylated IgG responses. Surprisingly, the level of total IgG-Fc fucosylation was decreased in ITP patients compared to healthy controls. Overall, our results suggest a yet unrecognized role of the spleen in either the induction or maintenance of afucosylated IgG responses by B cells.

scholarly journals Differential Activation of Fetal Hofbauer Cells in Primigravidas Is Associated with Decreased Birth Weight in Symptomatic Placental Malaria

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Gaw ◽  
Bethann S. Hromatka ◽  
Sadiki Ngeleza ◽  
Sirirak Buarpung ◽  
Nida Ozarslan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Placental Malaria ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Macrophage Response ◽  
Hofbauer Cells ◽  
Infant Birth ◽  
First Time

Background. Placental malaria is a leading global cause of low birth weight neonates, especially in first-time mothers. To better understand the role of innate immunity in placental malaria, we investigated the relationships between histopathological markers of placental malaria, fetal and maternal macrophage responses, and perinatal outcomes in a cross-sectional case control study of pregnant women presenting with symptomatic malaria at the time of delivery. Results. Primigravidas showed increased hemozoin deposition in placental villi (p=0.02), syncytiotrophoblasts (p=0.01), and fetal Hofbauer cells (p=0.01). The percentage of hemozoin-positive villi negatively correlated with infant birth weight (regression coefficient [b] = -0.03 kg decrease in birth weight per % increase in hemozoin-positive villi, p=0.035). Malaria-infected placentas showed a twofold increase in Hofbauer cells (p<0.001) and maternal macrophages (p<0.001). Placental malaria was associated with a threefold increase in the percentage of M2 maternal macrophages (19.2% vs 6.4%, p=0.01). Primigravidas showed a significant decrease in the Hofbauer cell M2-percentage in placental malaria (92.7% vs. 97.0%, p=0.04), which was predictive of infant birth weight (b=0.08 kg increase in birth weight per % increase in M2 Hofbauer cells, p=0.001). There was no association between maternal macrophage response and infant birth weights. Conclusions. Placentas with malarial infection had increased numbers of fetal Hofbauer cells in the villous stroma and maternal macrophages in the intervillous space. In primigravidas, decreased anti-inflammatory M2-type Hofbauer cells were predictive of lower birth weight. M2-type maternal macrophages were increased in placental malaria, but there was no association with gravidity or birth weight. These results suggested a protective role of M2 Hofbauer cells in fetal growth restriction.

scholarly journals The Regulation of Flavivirus Infection by Hijacking Exosome-Mediated Cell–Cell Communication: New Insights on Virus–Host Interactions

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 765
Author(s):  
José Manuel Reyes-Ruiz ◽  
Juan Fidel Osuna-Ramos ◽  
Luis Adrián De Jesús-González ◽  
Selvin Noé Palacios-Rápalo ◽  
Carlos Daniel Cordero-Rivera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Cell Interaction ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Cellular Targets ◽  
Host Interaction ◽  
Flavivirus Infection

The arthropod-borne flaviviruses are important human pathogens, and a deeper understanding of the virus–host cell interaction is required to identify cellular targets that can be used as therapeutic candidates. It is well reported that the flaviviruses hijack several cellular functions, such as exosome-mediated cell communication during infection, which is modulated by the delivery of the exosomal cargo of pro- or antiviral molecules to the receiving host cells. Therefore, to study the role of exosomes during flavivirus infections is essential, not only to understand its relevance in virus–host interaction, but also to identify molecular factors that may contribute to the development of new strategies to block these viral infections. This review explores the implications of exosomes in flavivirus dissemination and transmission from the vector to human host cells, as well as their involvement in the host immune response. The hypothesis about exosomes as a transplacental infection route of ZIKV and the paradox effect or the dual role of exosomes released during flavivirus infection are also discussed here. Although several studies have been performed in order to identify and characterize cellular and viral molecules released in exosomes, it is not clear how all of these components participate in viral pathogenesis. Further studies will determine the balance between protective and harmful exosomes secreted by flavivirus infected cells, the characteristics and components that distinguish them both, and how they could be a factor that determines the infection outcome.

scholarly journals Towards Promising Platform by Using Annular Photonic Crystals to Simulate and Design Useful Mask

Photonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 349
Author(s):  
Ayman A Ameen ◽  
Hussein A Elsayed ◽  
Sagr Alamri ◽  
Z.S. Matar ◽  
M. Al-Dossari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inner Core ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Irradiation Effect ◽  
Core Radius ◽  
Air Filtration ◽  
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Novel Design

Human masks are considered the mainstay in air filtration and purification technologies and against the spreading of bacterial and viral infections. This paper introduces a novel design of a human mask to increase the ultraviolet germicidal irradiation effect on pathogens. The proposed design consists of a tube with an annular photonic crystal (APC) attached to the mask’s orifice, and a UV source is located in the tube’s center. The main role of this study is the enhancement of UV doses based on the reflectivity of the proposed APC. Therefore, increasing pathogens’ inactivation level in the incoming air to the mask’s orifice could be investigated. The numerical investigations demonstrated that the proposed APC could provide a complete photonic bandgap with a high reflectivity in the wavelength regime from 207 to 230 nm. In addition, we have considered the roles of the thickness of layers, inner core radius, and the azimuthal number. Meanwhile, the results showed the ability to use a wide range of core radius values without almost any variations in the optical properties of the proposed design. Such results could grant the advantage of using this design by the manufacturing of human masks with different sizes besides the inclusions in other ultraviolet germicidal irradiation applications.

scholarly journals The Elusive Role of Placental Macrophages: The Hofbauer Cell

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 447-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Z. Zulu ◽  
Fernando O. Martinez ◽  
Siamon Gordon ◽  
Clive M. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Human Placenta ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Normal Pregnancy ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Regulatory Cells ◽  
Chorionic Villi ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hofbauer Cells ◽  
Placental Macrophages

In this review, we discuss the often overlooked tissue-resident fetal macrophages, Hofbauer cells, which are found within the chorionic villi of the human placenta. Hofbauer cells have been shown to have a phenotype associated with regulatory and anti-inflammatory functions. They are thought to play a crucial role in the regulation of pregnancy and in the maintenance of a homeostatic environment that is crucial for fetal development. Even though the numbers of these macrophages are some of the most abundant immune cells in the human placenta, which are sustained throughout pregnancy, there are very few studies that have identified their origin, their phenotype, and functions and why they are maintained throughout gestation. It is not yet understood how Hofbauer cells may change in function throughout normal pregnancy, and especially in those complicated by maternal gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and viral infections, such as Zika, cytomegalovirus, and human immunodeficiency virus. We review what is known about the origin of these macrophages and explore how common complications of pregnancy dysregulate these cells leading to adverse birth outcomes in humans. Our synthesis sheds light on areas for human studies that can further define these innate regulatory cells.

scholarly journals The Multifarious Role of 14-3-3 Family of Proteins in Viral Replication

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kavitha Ganesan Nathan ◽  
Sunil K. Lal
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Pharmaceutical Research ◽  
Host Protein ◽  
Dna Viruses ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Host Virus Interactions ◽  
Virus Interactions ◽  
Rna And Dna

The 14-3-3 proteins are a family of ubiquitous and exclusively eukaryotic proteins with an astoundingly significant number of binding partners. Their binding alters the activity, stability, localization, and phosphorylation state of a target protein. The association of 14-3-3 proteins with the regulation of a wide range of general and specific signaling pathways suggests their crucial role in health and disease. Recent studies have linked 14-3-3 to several RNA and DNA viruses that may contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of infections. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge of host–virus interactions is vital for understanding the viral life cycle and developing effective therapeutic strategies. Moreover, pharmaceutical research is already moving towards targeting host proteins in the control of virus pathogenesis. As such, targeting the right host protein to interrupt host–virus interactions could be an effective therapeutic strategy. In this review, we generated a 14-3-3 protein interactions roadmap in viruses, using the freely available Virusmentha network, an online virus–virus or virus–host interaction tool. Furthermore, we summarize the role of the 14-3-3 family in RNA and DNA viruses. The participation of 14-3-3 in viral infections underlines its significance as a key regulator for the expression of host and viral proteins.

The role of circulating adiponectin in prostate cancer: a meta-analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaofang Liao ◽  
Chan Long ◽  
Zhuojuan Deng ◽  
Xiaoxia Bi ◽  
Jun Hu
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Extensive Search ◽  
Standard Mean Difference ◽  
Potential Biomarker

Purpose Emerging evidence suggests that adiponectin may play a protective role in tumor progression and prognosis. However, available evidence in prostate cancer is conflicting. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the role of circulating adiponectin and prostate cancer. Methods and results An extensive search was performed on Google, PubMed, Elsevier Science and Springer from the date of the inception of those services to December 2013. Eleven studies with 2,504 patients and 3,565 controls concerning this association were included in our analysis. Standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) was used to estimate this association. The pooled analysis showed that circulating adiponectin concentrations were lower in patients with prostate cancer than controls, with a pooled SMD of -0.893 μg/mL (95% CI, -1.345 to -0.440, p=0.000). Dose-response relationships between concentrations of adiponectin and risk of prostate cancer were evaluated. We found that decreased concentrations of adiponectin were associated with a significantly greater risk of prostate cancer (p for nonlinearity = 0.043). Conclusions The results of our analysis indicated that concentration of adiponectin in cancer patients was significantly lower than in controls. Thus, adiponectin may serve as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of this disease. We also found that decreased concentration of adiponectin was associated with a significantly greater risk of prostate cancer. However, more studies in future, especially larger, prospective studies, are needed to confirm this association with underlying biological mechanisms.

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