Designing cancer vaccines has been at the forefront of cancer research for over two-and-a-half decades. In particular, delivery methods used to stimulate effective and long-lasting immune responses ...have been the major focus. This special issue presents new tumor associated antigens, delivery methods, combination immune therapies, methods of measuring immunity induced following cancer vaccinations, and mechanisms in understanding tumor microenvironments and immunosuppression-all beneficial for the design of improved cancer vaccines.
In recent decades, neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar, etc., have become a global health concern, causing various detrimental influences on patients. ...Tryptophan is an important amino acid that plays an indisputable role in several physiological processes, including neuronal function and immunity. Tryptophan’s metabolism process in the human body occurs using different pathways, including the kynurenine and serotonin pathways. Furthermore, other biologically active components, such as serotonin, melatonin, and niacin, are by-products of Tryptophan pathways. Current evidence suggests that a functional imbalance in the synthesis of Tryptophan metabolites causes the appearance of pathophysiologic mechanisms that leads to various neuropsychiatric diseases. This review summarizes the pharmacological influences of tryptophan and its metabolites on the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition, tryptophan and its metabolites quantification following the neurotransmitters precursor are highlighted. Eventually, the efficiency of various biomarkers such as inflammatory, protein, electrophysiological, genetic, and proteomic biomarkers in the diagnosis/treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders was discussed to understand the biomarker application in the detection/treatment of various diseases.
Eosinophils are granulocytic leukocytes residing in blood and tissues in the lung, breast, gastrointestinal and reproductive systems. Eosinophilia is uncommon in healthy individuals, however, it is ...associated with allergies, helminth infections and some inflammatory states. Eosinophilia has also been observed in cancer, including colorectal, breast, ovarian, cervical, oral squamous, Hodgkin's lymphoma and prostate cancer. Whether an increase in eosinophils leading to a favourable or unfavourable prognosis still remains controversial and depends on many factors including the type of cancer. Eosinophil infiltration is considered unfavourable in Hodgkin's lymphoma, conversely it has also been linked to a favourable prognosis in colorectal, breast and prostate cancers. Eosinophils secrete a variety of cytokines and factors including eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, peroxidase and major basic protein which have either anti-tumor effects or stimulate tumor progression. Herein, we discuss the role of eosinophils in tumor immunity and propose mechanisms accounting for their functional differences in tumorigenesis.
The Effects of Vitamin B in Depression Mikkelsen, Kathleen; Stojanovska, Lily; Apostolopoulos, Vasso
Current medicinal chemistry,
11/2016, Letnik:
23, Številka:
38
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Vitamins are dietary components which are necessary for life. They play a major role in health and their deficiency may be linked to symptoms of psychiatric disorders. B vitamins are required for ...proper functioning of the methylation cycle, monoamine oxidase production, DNA synthesis and the repair and maintenance of phospholipids. Vitamin B deficiency could influence memory function, cognitive impairment and dementia. In particular, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B9 and B12 are essential for neuronal function and deficiencies have been linked to depression. We discuss the causes of depression and the neurochemical pathways in depression. In particular, we provide evidence that vitamin B contributes to the complexity of depressive symptoms.
The prevalence of obesity and diabetes is an increasing global problem, especially in developed countries, and is referred to as the twin epidemics. As such, advanced treatment approaches are needed. ...Tirzepatide, known as a ‘twincretin’, is a ‘first-in-class’ and the only dual glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) receptor agonist, that can significantly reduce glycemic levels and improve insulin sensitivity, as well as reducing body weight by more than 20% and improving lipid metabolism. This novel anti-diabetic drug is a synthetic peptide analog of the human GIP hormone with a C20 fatty-diacid portion attached which, via acylation technology, can bind to albumin in order to provide a dose of the drug, by means of subcutaneous injection, once a week, which is appropriate to its a half-life of about five days. Tirzepatide, developed by Eli Lilly, was approved, under the brand name Mounjaro, by the United States Food and Drug Administration in May 2022. This started the ‘twincretin’ era of enormously important and appealing dual therapeutic options for diabetes and obesity, as well as advanced management of closely related cardiometabolic settings, which constitute the leading cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide. Herein, we present the key characteristics of tirzepatide in terms of synthesis, structure, and activity, bearing in mind its advantages and shortcomings. Furthermore, we briefly trace the evolution of this kind of medical agent and discuss the development of clinical studies.
The occurrence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVD-19), represents a catastrophic threat to global health. ...Protruding from the viral surface is a densely glycosylated spike (S) protein, which engages angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to mediate host cell entry. However, studies have reported viral susceptibility in intra- and extrapulmonary immune and non-immune cells lacking ACE2, suggesting that the S protein may exploit additional receptors for infection. Studies have demonstrated interactions between S protein and innate immune system, including C-lectin type receptors (CLR), toll-like receptors (TLR) and neuropilin-1 (NRP1), and the non-immune receptor glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78). Recognition of carbohydrate moieties clustered on the surface of the S protein may drive receptor-dependent internalization, accentuate severe immunopathological inflammation, and allow for systemic spread of infection, independent of ACE2. Furthermore, targeting TLRs, CLRs, and other receptors (Ezrin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4) that do not directly engage SARS-CoV-2 S protein, but may contribute to augmented anti-viral immunity and viral clearance, may represent therapeutic targets against COVID-19.
Role of the nervous system in cancer metastasis Kuol, Nyanbol; Stojanovska, Lily; Apostolopoulos, Vasso ...
Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research,
01/2018, Letnik:
37, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Cancer remains as one of the leading cause of death worldwide. The development of cancer involves an intricate process, wherein many identified and unidentified factors play a role. Although most ...studies have focused on the genetic abnormalities which initiate and promote cancer, there is overwhelming evidence that tumors interact within their environment by direct cell-to-cell contact and with signaling molecules, suggesting that cancer cells can influence their microenvironment and bidirectionally communicate with other systems. However, only in recent years the role of the nervous system has been recognized as a major contributor to cancer development and metastasis. The nervous system governs functional activities of many organs, and, as tumors are not independent organs within an organism, this system is integrally involved in tumor growth and progression.
Administration of the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin leads to acute kidney injury (AKI). Cisplatin-induced AKI (CIAKI) has a complex pathophysiological map, which has been linked to cellular uptake ...and efflux, apoptosis, vascular injury, oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation. Despite research efforts, pharmaceutical interventions, and clinical trials spanning over several decades, a consistent and stable pharmacological treatment option to reduce AKI in patients receiving cisplatin remains unavailable. This has been predominately linked to the incomplete understanding of CIAKI pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms involved. Herein, we detail the extensively known pathophysiology of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity that manifests and the variety of pharmacological and genetic alteration studies that target them.
Several modes of vaccine delivery have been developed in the last 25 years, which induce strong immune responses in pre-clinical models and in human clinical trials. Some modes of delivery include, ...adjuvants (aluminum hydroxide, Ribi formulation, QS21), liposomes, nanoparticles, virus like particles, immunostimulatory complexes (ISCOMs), dendrimers, viral vectors, DNA delivery via gene gun, electroporation or Biojector 2000, cell penetrating peptides, dendritic cell receptor targeting, toll-like receptors, chemokine receptors and bacterial toxins. There is an enormous amount of information and vaccine delivery methods available for guiding vaccine and immunotherapeutics development against diseases.
Consumption of probiotics contributes to a healthy microbiome of the GIT leading to many health benefits. They also contribute to the modulation of the immune system and are becoming popular for the ...treatment of a number of immune and inflammatory diseases. The main objective of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory and modulatory properties of Streptococcus thermophilus. We used peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors and assessed modifications in the mRNA expression of their genes related to innate and adaptive immune system. Our results showed strong immune modulatory effects of S. thermophilus 285 to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with an array of anti-inflammatory properties. S. thermophilus 285 reduced mRNA expression in a number of inflammatory immune mediators and markers, and upregulated a few of immune markers. S. thermophilus is used in the dairy industry, survives during cold storage, tolerates well upon ingesting, and their consumption may have beneficial effects with potential implications in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
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