Toll-like receptors, a double-edged sword in immunity to malaria

Toll-like receptors （TLRs） are a central component of innate immune system and play a major role as the initiator of the innate immune responses to defend against bacteria, viruses, parasite and other pathogens. During malaria infection, TLRs signaling pathways are initialed with the recognition of Plasmodium glycosylphosphatidylinositols （GPI） and hemozoin as pathogen-associated molecular patterns （PAMPs）. And then, activation of TLRs signaling induces specific biological responses against malaria parasites invasion, However, TLRs are also involved in malaria pathogenesis and enhancement of immune tolerance and evasion for malaria infection. Moreover, malaria parasites regulate selectively TLRs expression on immune cells. Thus, these evidences indicated that TLRs have contrary roles on malaria infection. Understanding the complicated roles of TLRs on malaria infection will contribute us to design more effective anti-malaria drugs or vaccines     

Studies on the Mechanism of Immune Complex Diseases

This paper is a critical review as well as a comprehensivesummarization of the research work done by the author and his team in the pastfew years.The important achievement they have obtained are;1.the protectiverole of the complement system in experimental acute serum sickness has beenidentified,the participation of T lymphocytes to the pathology of immune complexdiseases defined,and the calmodulin mediation of immune complex inflammationclarified,and 2.several drugs including levamisole,cimetidine,goat-antirabbitthymocyte globulin,prostaglandin E_2 and anisodamine were screened for theirtherapeutic efficiency on experimental acute serum sickness,which provides a cluefor the further study on the treatment of immune complex diseases.     

Evidence-Based Immunotherapeutic Effects of Herbal Compounds on Humoral Immunity:Ancient and New Approaches

The human immune system represents a dynamic multiscale system with high complexity in biology.Humoral immunity,as the main branch of adaptive immunity,is characterized by differentiated stages of the Blymphocytes,producing the final product of antibodies that has a diversity of the tuning mechanisms within genetic and epigenetic levels in confrontation with environmental exposures.Disorders because of disturbed humoral immunity are linked with dysregulation of feedback-regulated signaling and the dynamic of immune components that determine the overall response.Food products,mainly herbal components have a significant role in tailoring the immune system micro-ecosystem which can diversify the adaptive nature of humoral immunity.Herein,we review the current evidence-based approaches for the impact of medicinal herbs on humoral immunity signaling and antibody production with a focus on immunotherapeutic applications.     

The immune system: a new look at pain

Objective To review the relationship between the immune system and the mechanism of pain.Data sources Related researches published in the period of 1987－2005 were systematically reviewed.Study selection Articles about the immune system and pain were selected.Data extraction Data were mainly extracted from 74 articles which are listed in the reference section of this review.Results Pain was classically viewed as being mediated solely by neurons. However, growing evidence has showed the possible relationships between the immune system and the central nervous system. In this article, we reviewed the role of the immune system in the development of pain, together with the importance of the glia in this process. These findings suggest a novel approach to pain control in the future.Conclusions The immune system plays a potential but important role in the development of pain.     

Interleukins in the treatment of melanoma

Interleukins (ILs) and associated cytokines serve as the means of communication for immune cells and non-immune cells. The use of ILs in harnessing the immune system to cancer treatment has been a promising approach. ILs not only nurture an environment enabling cancer growth but also simultaneously trigger a productive tumor-directed immune response. These properties of ILs are increasingly being explored as a strategy to improve the outcomes of cancer. Here, we describe recently innovative tech...     

Clinical Significance and Assessment of Cytokines in Various Stages of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a kind of inflammatorybowel disease. The incidence of UC is showing atendency of increase over years,butso far its etiologyand mechanism remains unclear. The immunologicalmechanism of UC is being increasingly suggested.Abnormal immune reactivity and damage of normalimmune reactivity are recognized as important factorsthatcause UC,ofwhich a lotof cytokinestakepartinmucosal immune reactivity of UC,and constitute acomplex network system. Encouraged by the resultsof o…     

Toll like receptors and inflammatory factors in sepsis and differential expression related to age

In recent years, the incidence of systematic severe .infection in intensive care units （ICUs） has increased significantly. Sepsis is a＂ complex, multifactorial syndrome that can develop into conditions of different severity, described as severe sepsis or septic shock. The immunology of severe sepsis and septic shock is poorly defined, despite many studies investigating the pathogenesis of this syndrome. With mortality rates of up to 50%, greater understanding of the interactions between host and microbe is necessary to improve patient outcome. Given the rapid progression of sepsis and immediate recruitment of the inflammatory cytokine cascade, the early innate response of the immune system to the pathogen is likely to play a critical role.     

Senescent remodeling of the immune system and its contribution to the predisposition of the elderly to infections

Objective  To review the senescent remodeling of the immune system with aging and its relevance to the increased susceptibility of the elderly to infectious diseases, along with an outlook on emerging immunological biomarkers.

Data sources  The data selected were from PubMed with relevant published articles in English or French from 1995 to the present. Searches were made using the terms “immunosenescence” and “aging” paired with the following: “innate immunity”, “T-cell”, “B-cell”, “adaptive immunity” and “biomarkers”. Articles were reviewed for additional citations and some information was gathered from web searches.

Study selection  Articles on aging of both the innate and adaptive immunity were reviewed, with special attention to the remodeling effect on the ability of the immune system to fight infectious diseases. Articles related to biomarkers of immunosenescence were selected with the goal of identifying immunological biomarkers predisposing the elderly to infections.

Results  Innate immunity is generally thought to be relatively well preserved or enhanced during aging compared with adaptive immunity which manifests more profound alterations. However, evidence, particularly in the last decade, reveals that both limbs of the immune system undergo profound remodeling with aging. Reported data on adaptive immunity is consistent and changes are well established but conflicting results about innate immunity were reported between in vivo and in vitro studies, as well as between murine and human studies. Epidemiological data suggests increased predisposition of the elderly to infections, but no compelling scientific evidence has directly linked senescent immune remodeling to this increased susceptibility. Recently, growing interest in identifying immunological biomarkers and defining “immune risk phenotypes/profiles” (IRP) has been expressed. Identification of biomarkers is in its early days and few potential biomarkers have been identified, with the Swedish having defined one IRP based on the adaptive immune response.

Conclusions  Aging does not necessarily lead to an unavoidable decline in immune functions. Instead, a complex remodeling occurs. Despite the lack of compelling scientific evidence, senescent immune remodeling surely is a significant contributing factor to the increased risk and severity of infections in the elderly. Although, no immunological biomarker has been formally linked to the increased risk of infections in the elderly, biomarkers remain a promising tool to predict the likelihood of healthy aging, the level of immune competence, and mortality risk in the elderly. Hence, more research is required to define healthy aging and identify immunological biomarkers.

     

Study on the Expression of Fas Ligand on the Surfaces of Human Cytotrophoblasts in Normal Pregnancy

The fetus represents a foreign entity to the maternal immune system, yet this nature allograft is notnormally rejected. This unique situation is alwaysconcerned closely by immunologists and organ transplantation workers. Following the deepgoing of thestudy on the mechanisms of immune tolerance, it wasfound that specific activated T cell apoptosis inducedby Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) played an important role inperipheral immune tolerance. The major reason whysome immune--privileged organs such as …     

Virome in immunodeficiency: what we know currently

Over the past few years, the human virome and its complex interactions with microbial communities and the immune system have gained recognition as a crucial factor in human health. Individuals with compromised immune function encounter distinctive challenges due to their heightened vulnerability to a diverse range of infectious diseases. This review aims to comprehensively explore and analyze the growing evidence regarding the role of the virome in immunocompromised disease status. By surveying ...     

Systems Pharmacology Uncovers Multiple Mechanisms of Erxian Decoction (二仙汤) for Treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure

Objective: To predict the chemical compositions and drug targets and to systematically dissect the pharmacological mechanism of Erxian Decoction(二仙汤,EXD) as a treatment for premature ovarian failure(POF) using a systems pharmacology approach. Methods: The compounds present in EXD were obtained from three databases. The active ingredient was identified by analyzing the values of oral bioavailability(OB), drug-likeness(DL), and Lipinski's rule(LR). The active ingredients were further searched in research articles, drug targets in the Drug Bank database, and the C-T and T-P networks, as well as by pathway analysis using the Cytoscape platform. Results: A total of 728 compounds were identified in EXD. Of these, 59 were identified as active compounds that conformed to the criteria with OB 30% and DL 0.18. By further searches in the literature, 126 related targets were identified that could interact with the active compounds. Additionally, it was found that the beneficial effects of EXD in POF are probably exerted via regulation of the immune system, modulation of estrogen levels, and anti-oxidative activities, and that it may act in a synergistic or cooperative manner with other therapeutic agents. Conclusions: The systems pharmacology approach is a comprehensive system that was used to elucidate the pharmacological mechanism of EXD as a treatment for POF. The results of this study will also facilitate the application of traditional medicine in modern treatment strategies.     

Immunoregulative Mechanism of the Leydig Cell in the Infection by Expression1 of IL-1,IL-6,TGF-β, Fas and FasL mRNA

Objective To investigate the immune regulative mechanism of Leydig cells in the local infection of rat＇s testis. Methods Ureaplasma Urealyticum（UU） was injected into rat＇s bladder, which mimicked an ascending infectious way, and at the same time culture medium was injected into rat＇s bladder as the control. The rats were sacrificed at week 1, 2 and 3 after injection respectively. Then pathological changes in testis were analyzed by histological examination. At the same time Leydig cells were separated from rat＇s testis. The comparasion of levels of IL-1,IL-6, TGF-β, Fas and FasL mRNA expression among the three groups was made by RT-PCR. Results As compared with control group, the levels of IL-1, IL-6, TGF-fl mRNA expression for UU supernatant and living UU groups increased; and levels of Fas and FasL mRNA expression decreased and increased respectively after UU infection. Conclusion During anti-infective immunity, rat＇s Leydig cells may regulate immune function of the testis by changing the levels of IL-1, IL-6, TGF-β, Fas and FasL mRNA expression and may contribute to maintain immune privilege of the testis.     

Monitoring and control of infection in patients after renal transplantation.

Infection is a leading cause of death of renal transplantation and how to control it is still an urgent problem to be solved. Bacteria culture, computerized modified McGuckin's monitoring methods, OKT monoclonal antibody technique and radioimmunoassay (RIA) were used on studying the cause, monitoring and prevention of the infection. Results showed that 22 out of 24 cases (91.7%) were colonized by Gram-negative bacilli in pharynx and groin region. Of them, 15 were infected with the same bacteria in wound, urine, blood and lung. Six out of 7 cases with serious infection were colonized by Gram-negative bacilli on the surface of the whole body. The computerized modified McGuckin's method predicted and analyzed the infection outbreak much more fast and accurate, with a rate of over 80%. Helper/suppressor lymphocyte ratio of 1.08 was taken as a threshold value for the diagnosis of infection. The results suggested that the change of skin flora is closely related with the infection. Monitoring the alteration of skin flora is an effective method for the prevention and control of severe infection. The pharynx and groin regions of the patients are stable reservoirs of Gram-negative bacilli which may cause infection easily. Computerized quantitative analysis may increase the efficiency and accuracy of infection surveillance. In order to preserve the immune system as much as possible and prevent rejection of transplant graft, proper use of immunosuppressive drugs and regulation of the immune system of the patients are the key for preventing infection.

     

免疫学的发展与展望：基于中医与中国文化的探索

The immunologically mediated disease is a big family which affects many people in the world, since the cures are not yet available for most immune diseases, the patients face a lifetime of illness and treatment. Chinese medicine inspires us to develop new methods for the treatment of immune diseases. Previous researches of immune system have revealed that an immune network exists. The immune system is like a complex highway; if we travel on these highways, we must have a map to avoid travelling in the wrong direction. Drawing the map of immune network will provide new tools for us to look directly at the basis of the immune system.     

Relationship between occupational stress and salivary sIgA and lysozyme in assembly line workers

Anumber of studies have investigated the effects of stress on mental health and cardiovascular diseases and the relationship between stress and various components of the immune system, and they found that chronic stress is associated with suppression of a variety of immune parameters. However, acute stress is often associated with transient increases in immune activationl A few studies have also examined the slgA response to occupational stress. Zeier et al2 measured salivary slgA in air traffic controllers before and immediately after radar working sessions lasting approximately 100 minutes. Counter to the author＇s expectation, slgA was significantly elevated after the stressful work-session. Ng et al3 found slgA correlated inversely with self-reported levels of stress among nurses in Singapore. In the United States and Australia, studies on occupational stress in the nursing profession using salivary IgA as a stress indicator have also been conducted. Both studies indicated that the nurses＇ stress was significantly associated with a decreased salivary IgA secretion rates.4.5 A study has indicated salivary lysozyme as a promising marker of the effects of stress on nonspecific immunity, demonstrating a negative relation between perceived stress, as indicated by a stress score obtained by means of a questionnaire, and actual stress in the form of an undergraduate examination and salivary lysozyme levels.6 Ng et al3 have not found a relationship between salivary lysozyme levels and self-reported levels of stress among nurses in Singapore.     

Differential mRNA expression of Sporothrix schenckii catalase gene in two growth phases and effect factors

Sporothrix schenckii （S. schenckii）, a dimorphic fungus, is the etiological agent of sporotrichosis. After entrance of microconidia or mycelial fragments into a mammalian host, the fungus differentiates into the parasitic yeast form. Meanwhile, several defensive signals would be triggered when the innate immune system was stimulated by S. schenckii invasion and microbe-specific phagocytosis. The success of S. schenckii infection partly depends on its ability to avoid oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species （ROS） released by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and activated macrophages. However, the antioxidant defense mechanisms of S. schenckii remains unknown. Catalases, one of the central enzymes involved in scavenging ROS via converting hydrogen peroxide （H2O2） to water and molecular oxygen, play an essential role in protecting intracellular pathogenic fungi against ROS and regulating growth and development in some fungi. No catalase in S. schenckii has been identified and characterized previously. Recently we have cloned a catalase homologous gene from the yeast form of S. schenckii and designated it Sscat. In this report,     

Opportunity and challenge of big data in improving chronic non-communicable diseases: by health system engineering approaches

Chronic non-communicable diseases （NCDs） is a sick- state in the complex system of human body. Healthsystems engineering approach can be used to recover health state by many different ways of system adjustments, including physical exercises, nutrition and psychological intervention, and drug therapies. To evaluate and assess the effects of these adjustments, many parameters of the system states have to be monitored （such as molecular high- throughput technologies, physiological, image, etc.）, and estimated at the different levels （such as molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and system levels） and on the different dimensions （such as metabolic, immune, neural, etc.） for human system. Huge data have been produced during the whole process, and health systems engineering approach will model health and sick state in the human system by detecting and analyzing these multi-dimension and multi- level big-data in order to find personal suitable adjustment method.     

Exploration of the financing and management model of a children’s critical disease security system in China based on the implementation of Shanghai Children Hospital Care Aid

This study is designed to serve as a reference for the establishment of health security systems for children’s critical diseases. Through analysis of the operation of Shanghai Children Hospital Care Aid (SCHCA), this study explored the financing model and management of a children’s critical disease healthcare system and analyzed the possibility of expanding this system to other areas. It is found that a premium as low as RMB 7 per capita per year under SCHCA can provide high-level security for children’s critical diseases. With the good experience in Shanghai and based on the current basic medical insurance system for urban residents and the new rural cooperative medical scheme (NRCMS), it is necessary and feasible to build a health security system for children’s critical diseases at the national level.

     

天然杀伤T细胞对多树突状细胞的调节作用(英文)

Both dendritic cells(DC) and natural killer T(NKT) cells are small cell populations related to immune regulation. The interaction between these two types of immune cells is a hot topic in current study on immunobiology.Recent data not only demonstrate that DC can influence the activation/function of NKT cells but also suggest that NKT cells can feedback on DC,thus modulating the phenotype and function of DC.This two-way interaction between NKT cells and DC may play an important role in the linkage of innate and adaptive immune responses.     

Immune system modifications and feto-maternal immune tolerance

Objective This review aimed at understanding pregnancy-induced changes in the maternal immune response and mechanisms for the establishment of feto-maternal tolerance.Data sources Articles cited in this review were obtained from PubMed in English from 2000 to 2014,and the search string included keywords such as feto-maternal tolerance,dendritic cells,macrophage,T regulatory cells,natural killer cells,cytokines and hormone.Study selection Articles regarding altered maternal immune response,including the proliferation and differentiation of the altered cells,and the production of cytokines and regulation of hormones in the feto-maternal interface were retrieved,reviewed and analyzed.Results The changes in immune cells and cytokines in the local uterine microenvironment and peripheral blood are correlated with the establishment of feto-maternal tolerance.The endocrine system regulates the maternal immune system,promoting modifications during pregnancy.In these regulatory networks,every factor is indispensible for others.Conclusions The integration and balance of these immune factors during pregnancy give rise to an environment that enables the fetus to escape rejection by the maternal immune system.This progress is complicated,and needs more comprehensive exploration and explanation.