Increased efforts are required to prevent further losses to terrestrial biodiversity and the ecosystem services that it provides
. Ambitious targets have been proposed, such as reversing the ...declining trends in biodiversity
; however, just feeding the growing human population will make this a challenge
. Here we use an ensemble of land-use and biodiversity models to assess whether-and how-humanity can reverse the declines in terrestrial biodiversity caused by habitat conversion, which is a major threat to biodiversity
. We show that immediate efforts, consistent with the broader sustainability agenda but of unprecedented ambition and coordination, could enable the provision of food for the growing human population while reversing the global terrestrial biodiversity trends caused by habitat conversion. If we decide to increase the extent of land under conservation management, restore degraded land and generalize landscape-level conservation planning, biodiversity trends from habitat conversion could become positive by the mid-twenty-first century on average across models (confidence interval, 2042-2061), but this was not the case for all models. Food prices could increase and, on average across models, almost half (confidence interval, 34-50%) of the future biodiversity losses could not be avoided. However, additionally tackling the drivers of land-use change could avoid conflict with affordable food provision and reduces the environmental effects of the food-provision system. Through further sustainable intensification and trade, reduced food waste and more plant-based human diets, more than two thirds of future biodiversity losses are avoided and the biodiversity trends from habitat conversion are reversed by 2050 for almost all of the models. Although limiting further loss will remain challenging in several biodiversity-rich regions, and other threats-such as climate change-must be addressed to truly reverse the declines in biodiversity, our results show that ambitious conservation efforts and food system transformation are central to an effective post-2020 biodiversity strategy.
► Much conservation research has only limited relevance to real-world conservation. ► We identify strategies to improve the impact of research on conservation outcomes. ► Communication among ...conservation scientists and practitioners, especially at the beginning of research, is vital.
Conservation scientists and practitioners share many of the same goals. Yet in a majority of cases, we argue, research conducted by academic conservation scientists actually makes surprisingly few direct contributions to environmental conservation. We illustrate how researchers can increase the utility and impact of their scientific findings for real-world conservation, using examples of pressing environmental challenges. These examples demonstrate some practices and principles that scientists can adopt to better assist conservation practitioners and advance specific conservation outcomes. These include (1) producing time-critical research rapidly enough to affect political outcomes; (2) attacking ‘wicked’ problems that transcend traditional scientific approaches; (3) using multidisciplinary approaches that link science with fields such as economics, sociology, and politics; and (4) communicating in a bolder, more direct manner in the public arena to advance environmental conservation. We conclude with a plea for more proactive dialogue between conservation scientists and practitioners when devising research priorities.
Abstract
As we enter the next phase of international policy commitments to halt biodiversity loss (e.g., Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework), biodiversity indicators will play an ...important role in forming the robust basis upon which targeted, and time sensitive conservation actions are developed. Population trend indicators are one of the most powerful tools in biodiversity monitoring due to their responsiveness to changes over short timescales and their ability to aggregate species trends from global down to sub-national or even local scale. We consider how the project behind one of the foremost population level indicators - the Living Planet Index - has evolved over the last 25 years, its value to the field of biodiversity monitoring, and how its components have portrayed a compelling account of the changing status of global biodiversity through its application at policy, research and practice levels. We explore ways the project can develop to enhance our understanding of the state of biodiversity and share lessons learned to inform indicator development and mobilise action.
Recombinant antigens hold high potential to develop vaccines against lethal intracellular pathogens and cancer. However, they are poorly immunogenic and fail to induce potent cellular immunity. In ...this paper, we demonstrate that polymeric multilayer capsules (PMLC) strongly increase antigen delivery toward professional antigen-presenting cells in vivo, including dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, and B cells, thereby enforcing antigen presentation and stimulating T cell proliferation. A thorough analysis of the T cell response demonstrated their capacity to induce IFN-γ secreting CD4 and CD8 T cells, in addition to follicular T-helper cells, a recently identified CD4 T cell subset supporting antibody responses. On the B cell level, PMLC-mediated antigen delivery promoted the formation of germinal centers, resulting in increased numbers of antibody-secreting plasma cells and elevated antibody titers. The functional relevance of the induced immune responses was validated in murine models of influenza and melanoma. On a mechanistic level, we have demonstrated the capacity of PMLC to activate the NALP3 inflammasome and trigger the release of the potent pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Finally, using DC-depleted mice, we have identified DCs as the key mediators of the immunogenic properties of PMLC.
By targeting dendritic cells, polymeric carriers in the nano to lower micron range constitute very interesting tools for antigen delivery. In this critical review, we review how new immunological ...insights can be exploited to design new carriers allowing one to tune immune responses and to further increase vaccine potency (137 references).
Background Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a frequent cause of asthma exacerbations, yet the susceptibility of asthmatic patients to RSV is poorly understood. Objective We sought to ...address the contribution of resident alveolar macrophages (rAMs) to susceptibility to RSV infection in mice that recovered from allergic airway eosinophilia. Methods Mice were infected with RSV virus after clearance of allergic airway inflammation (AAI). The contribution of post-AAI rAMs was studied in vivo by means of clodronate liposome–mediated depletion, adoptive transfer, and treatment with recombinant cytokines before RSV infection. Results After clearing the allergic bronchial inflammation, post-AAI mice had bronchial hyperreactivity and increased inflammatory cell influx when infected with RSV compared with nonallergic mice, whereas viral clearance was comparable in both mouse groups. Post-AAI rAMs were necessary and sufficient for mediating these proinflammatory effects. In post-AAI mice the residing CD11chi autofluorescent rAM population did not upregulate the terminal differentiation marker sialic acid–binding immunoglobulin-like lectin F and overproduced TNF and IL-6 through increased nuclear factor κB nuclear translocation. In line with these results, post-AAI lungs had reduced levels of the rAM maturation cytokine GM-CSF. Intratracheal administration of GM-CSF induced final rAM maturation in post-AAI mice and prevented the increased susceptibility to RSV-induced hyperreactivity and inflammation. Conclusion Defective production of GM-CSF leads to insufficient post-AAI rAM maturation in mice that recovered from an AAI, causing increased susceptibility to RSV-induced immunopathology. Promoting the differentiation of post-AAI rAMs might be a therapeutic option for preventing RSV-induced exacerbations in human asthmatic patients.
Immunizing: To evoke highly potent immune responses against recombinant antigens, hollow capsules consisting of layers of dextran sulphate and poly‐L‐arginine that encapsulate the antigen ovalbumin ...(orange circles) were coated with immune‐activating CpG‐containing oligonucleotides (green). These capsules were readily internalized by dendritic cells (see picture) and showed activity in further immunization experiments.
Introduction
Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors that function as cholesterol sensors and regulate cholesterol homeostasis. High cholesterol has been recognized as a risk factor in asthma; ...however, the mechanism of this linkage is not known.
Methods
To explore the importance of cholesterol homeostasis for asthma, we investigated the contribution of LXR activity in an ovalbumin‐ and a house dust mite‐driven eosinophilic asthma mouse model.
Results
In both models, airway inflammation, airway hyper‐reactivity, and goblet cell hyperplasia were reduced in mice deficient for both LXRα and LXRβ isoforms (LXRα−/−β−/−) as compared to wild‐type mice. Inversely, treatment with the LXR agonist GW3965 showed increased eosinophilic airway inflammation. LXR activity contributed to airway inflammation through promotion of type 2 cytokine production as LXRα−/−β−/− mice showed strongly reduced protein levels of IL‐5 and IL‐13 in the lungs as well as reduced expression of these cytokines by CD4+ lung cells and lung‐draining lymph node cells. In line herewith, LXR activation resulted in increased type 2 cytokine production by the lung‐draining lymph node cells.
Conclusions
In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the cholesterol regulator LXR acts as a positive regulator of eosinophilic asthma in mice, contributing to airway inflammation through regulation of type 2 cytokine production.
Our study demonstrates that the cholesterol regulator LXR acts as a positive regulator of allergic eosinophilic asthma in mice, contributing to airway inflammation through regulation of type 2 cytokine production.
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