Abstract

Semaphorins are a group of proteins that have been studied extensively for their critical function in neuronal development. They have been shown to regulate airway development, tumorigenesis, autoimmune diseases, and the adaptive immune response. Notably, emerging literature describes the role of immunoregulatory semaphorins and their receptors, plexins and neuropilins, as modulators of innate immunity and diseases defined by acute injury to the kidneys, abdomen, heart and lungs. In this review we discuss the pathogenic functions of semaphorins in clinical conditions of acute inflammation, including sepsis and acute lung injury, with a focus on regulation of the innate immune response as well as potential future therapeutic targeting.

Highlights

  • The semaphorins (SEMA) are a large family of both membrane-bound and secreted proteins defined by the presence of an approximately 500-amino acid extracellular Sema domain located at the N- terminal region [1]

  • Translational studies and investigations using animal disease models have demonstrated the involvement of various classes of semaphorins, plexins, and neuropilins as both pro- and antiinflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of acute inflammation

  • Reports of acute kidney injury (AKI) in mouse models of sepsis and ischemia-reperfusion describe the pathogenic role of semaphorins in the promotion of tubular epithelial cell injury and restoration of renal function

Read more

Summary

Introduction

The semaphorins (SEMA) are a large family of both membrane-bound and secreted proteins defined by the presence of an approximately 500-amino acid extracellular Sema domain located at the N- terminal region [1]. In addition to their aforementioned functions, the expression of semaphorins and their receptors on various innate immune cells plays a role in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as in innate immune cell survival [44, 50, 73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80].

Results
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.