Adjuvant Role Research Articles

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Ovulation among Women with PCO

Abstract Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is prevalent worldwide among female endocrine disorder, affect-ing nearly 5% to 12% of child bearing age women. PCOS is considered as the most common cause of an ovulatory infertility and it has clinical symptoms include an ovulation with or without oligo-ovulation, infertility, menstrual irregularity, polycystic ovaries and hyperandrogenism. Aim of Study: This study aim was to explore and compare the effects of Vitamin D supplementation vs. placebo on ovulation in women with PCOS. Patients and Methods: 400 women with PCOSwere in-cluded in this randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups as follows: Vitamin D group (n=200) and control group (n=200). Follow-up was done after three months by measuring change vitamin D level, change in insulin resistance as measured by fasting glucose and fasting insulin ratio, change in testosterone level, and change in free androgen index. Results: 200 of them allocated to control group. Among 200 women in vitamin D group, 160 women had vitamin D deficiency and the other 40 had normal vitamin D level. FBS, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR were statistically significantly higher in the vitamin D deficient subgroup and the control group compared to the normal vitamin D subgroups; whereas no statistically significant differences were found between the vitamin D deficient subgroup and the control group. No statistically significant differences were found between the three groups in the various components of the lipid profile and hormonal profile. There were statistically significant differences between groups as regards FBS, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, FAI, Testosterone, TC and LDL-C. Conclusion: We concluded that vitamin D seems to be a contributing etiopathogenic factor in anovulatory, metabolic and hormonal aberrations in women with PCOS that might have a potential adjuvant role to standard induction of ovulation regimen.

359P The role of adjuvant targeted therapy for postoperative EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer: A network meta-analysis

359P The role of adjuvant targeted therapy for postoperative EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer: A network meta-analysis

Effects of the food additive monosodium glutamate on cisplatin-induced gastrointestinal dysmotility and peripheral neuropathy in the rat.

Cisplatin is an antineoplastic drug known to produce intense vomiting, gastric dysmotility, and peripheral neuropathy. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer with prokinetic properties potentially useful for cancer patients under chemotherapy. Our aim was to test whether MSG may improve gastrointestinal motor dysfunction and other adverse effects induced by repeated cisplatin in rats. Male Wistar rats were exposed or not to MSG (4gL-1 ) in drinking water from week 0 to 1week after treatment. On the first day of weeks 1-5, rats were treated with saline or cisplatin (2mgkg-1 week-1 , ip). Gastrointestinal motility was measured by radiological methods after first and fifth administrations, as well as 1week after treatment finalization. One week after treatment, the threshold for mechanical somatic sensitivity was recorded. Finally, samples of stomach, terminal ileum and kidneys were evaluated in sections using conventional histology. The myenteric plexus was immunohistochemically evaluated on distal colon whole-mount preparations. Monosodium glutamate prevented the development of cisplatin-induced neuropathy and partially improved intestinal transit after the fifth cisplatin administration with little impact on gastric dysmotility. MSG did not improve the histological damage of gut wall, but prevented the changes induced by cisplatin in the colonic myenteric plexus. Our results suggest that MSG can improve some dysfunctions caused by anticancer chemotherapy in the gut and other systems, associated, at least partially, with neuroprotectant effects. The potentially useful adjuvant role of this food additive to reduce chemotherapy-induced sequelae warrants further evaluation.

Spinal Cord Infarction: A Single Center Experience and the Usefulness of Evoked Potential as an Early Diagnostic Tool.

Background: Spinal cord infarction (SCI) is a rare disease and its early diagnosis is challenging. Here, we described the clinical features and imaging findings of SCI, and assessed the results of evoked potential (EP) studies to elucidate their diagnostic role in the early stage of SCI.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 14 patients who had spontaneous SCI. The demographic, neurological, and temporal profiles of the SCI patients were identified. We reviewed the imaging findings and assessed the changes in them over time. To review EP, central motor conduction time (CMCT) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) values were obtained. We also enrolled 15 patients with transverse myelitis (TM), and compared the clinical, radiological and electrophysiological features between SCI and TM patients.Results: The ages of the SCI patients ranged from 54 to 73 years. Nine patients (64.3%) showed nadir deficits within 6 h. The most common type of clinical visit was via the emergency center. Nine patients (64.3%) presented with peri-onset focal pain. The median initial modified Rankin scale score was 3. For 9 patients (64.3%), initial T2 imaging findings were negative, but subsequent diffusion weighed imaging (DWI) showed diffusion restriction. Vertebral body infarction was observed in 5 patients (35.7%). EP data were available for 10 SCI patients. All 8 patients who had their CMCT measured showed abnormalities. Among them, motor evoked potentials were not evoked in 6 patients at all. SEP was measured in 10 patients, and 9 of them showed abnormalities; one of them showed no SEP response. For 5 patients, the EP studies were done prior to DWI, and all the patients showed definite abnormalities. The abnormalities in the EP findings of the SCI patients were more profound than those of the TM patients, even though the duration from the onset to the start of the study was much shorter for SCI patients.Conclusion: SCI can be diagnosed based on typical clinical manifestations and appropriate imaging studies. Our study also indicates that immediate sensory and motor EP study can have an adjuvant diagnostic role in the hyperacute stage of SCI, and can improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

Angiotensin Receptor 1 Blockers Prolong Time to Recurrence after Radiofrequency Ablation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma patients: A Retrospective Study.

Inhibition of angiotensin II synthesis seems to decrease hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after radical therapies; however, data on the adjuvant role of angiotensin II receptor 1 blockers (sartans) are still lacking. Aim of the study was to evaluate whether sartans delay time to recurrence and prolong overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after radiofrequency ablation. Data on 215 patients were reviewed. The study population was classified into three groups: 113 (52.5%) patients who received neither angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors nor sartans (group 1), 59 (27.4%) patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (group 2) and 43 (20.1%) patients treated with sartans (group 3). Survival outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier analysis and compared with log-rank test. In the whole study population, 85.6% of patients were in Child-Pugh A-class and 89.6% in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer A stage. Median maximum tumor diameter was 30 mm (10–40 mm) and alpha-fetoprotein was 25 (1.1–2100) IU/mL. No differences in baseline characteristics among the three groups were reported. Median overall survival was 48 months (42–51) in group 1, 51 months (42–88) in group 2, and 63 months (51–84) in group 3 (p = 0.15). Child-Pugh stage and Model for End-staging Liver Disease (MELD) score resulted as significant predictors of overall survival in multivariate analysis. Median time to recurrence was 33 months (24–35) in group 1, 41 (23–72) in group 2 and 51 months (42–88) in group 3 (p = 0.001). Number of nodules and anti-angiotensin treatment were confirmed as significant predictors of time to recurrence in multivariate analysis. Sartans significantly improved time to recurrence after radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients but did not improve overall survival.

Cholera toxin induces food allergy through Th2 cell differentiation which is unaffected by Jagged2

AimsCholera toxin is often used to induce food allergies. However, its exact mode of action and effect remain ambiguous. In this study, we established a BALB/c mouse cholera toxin/ovalbumin-induced food allergy model to determine the molecular basis and signaling mechanisms of the immune regulation of cholera toxin during food allergy. Materials and methodsThe adjuvant activity of cholera toxin was analyzed by establishing mouse allergy model, and the allergic reaction of each group of mice was evaluated. The effect of cholera toxin on Th1/Th2 cell differentiation was analyzed to further explore the role of cholera toxin in allergen immune response. We stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) with cholera toxin in vitro to investigate the effect of cholera toxin on Notch ligand expression. BMDCs and naive CD4+T cells were co-cultured in vitro, and their cytokine levels were examined to investigate whether cholera toxin regulates Th cell differentiation via the Jagged2 Notch signaling pathway. Key findingsThe results showed that in the presence of allergens, cholera toxin promotes Th2 cell differentiation and enhances the body's immune response. Cholera toxin induces expression of the Notch ligand Jagged2, but Jagged2 Notch signaling pathway is not required to promote BMDCs-mediated differentiation of Th2 cells. SignificanceThis study initially revealed the mechanism by which cholera toxin plays an adjuvant role in food allergy, and provides reference for future related research.

Lipofection-Based Delivery of DNA Vaccines.

The preventive and therapeutic potential of DNA vaccines combined with benefits of lipid-based delivery (lipofection) allow efficient nucleic acid transfer and immunization applicable in treatment of infections, cancer or autoimmune disorders. Lipofecting compositions consisting of cationic and neutral lipids can be used for both in vitro and in vivo applications and may also play the role of adjuvants. Here we describe a simple protocol of DNA vaccine carrier preparation based on cationic polyprenyl derivatives (PTAI-trimethylpolyprenylammonium iodides) and commonly used helper lipids with use of basic laboratory equipment. Such formulas have proven effective for immunization of animals as well as for cell transfection.

Adjuvant role of Ocimum sanctum hydroalcoholic extract with carbamazepine and phenytoin in experimental model of acute seizures

PurposeThis study assessed adjuvant potential of Ocimum sanctum hydroalcoholic extract (OSHE) with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenytoin (PHT) in maximal electroshock seizure (MES) model in male Wistar rats. Material and MethodsPharmacodynamic effect of OSHE (1000 mg/kg) was assessed through seizure protection potential, neurobehavioral tests and oxidative stress estimation in MES model after 14 days administration of OSHE alone or combination with maximal (M) and sub-maximal (SM) dose of CBZ or PHT. Pharmacokinetic interaction of OSHE with AEDs was also assessed after 14 days of drug treatment. ResultsOSHE per se showed 50% protection against MES-induced seizures. Combination of OSHE with AEDs’ SM dose enhanced its seizure protection potential. Significant reduction in duration of tonic hind limb extension was observed in CBZ-SM + OSHE as compared to control group (p = 0.006). Among neurobehavioral tests in Morris water maze test rats of CBZ-M + OSHE took significantly less time to reach the platform (p = 0.022) and spent more time in target quadrant (p = 0.016) as compared to other groups. Similarly, rats of PHT-SM + OSHE group spent significantly more time in the target quadrant (p = 0.013). In elevated plus maze test, CBZ-M + OSHE had significantly decreased transfer latency compared to other groups (p = 0.013). OSHE alone treated group had significantly lower oxidative stress as compared to other groups. No significant pharmacokinetic interaction was observed between OSHE and AEDs (CBZ, PHT). ConclusionOcimum’s potential of enhanced seizure protection and neuroprotection along with minimal drug interaction with AEDs substantiate its adjuvant role in the management of epilepsy.

Could Oral Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors Have a Potential Adjuvant Role in Combating COVID-19 Infection?

IntroductionThe recent global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic with a lot of sufferers. Excessive inflammation, exaggerated immune response, with ultimate apoptosis contribute to COVID-19 pathology that progress to acute lung acute respiratory distress.ObjectiveTo shed a light on the likely benefits of the oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor adjuvant role in combating COVID-19 infection.MethodsA literature review was performed in the PubMed/Medline database, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Academic Search Complete, Google Scholar, and CINAHL databases using the keywords COVID-19; phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors; cytokine storm; respiratory distress.ResultsDespite the worsening trends of COVID-19, still no drugs are validated to have significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 in large-scale studies. While the progress toward a curative agent and/or vaccine is certainly hopeful, the principal limiting factor in such public health emergencies is always the time. Therefore, a preexisting licensed therapeutic(s) might offer a reprieve to the healthcare systems operating at the edge of capacity. In this context, the innovation of oral PDE5 inhibitors with their valuable effects on erection have provided a breakthrough in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and opened new fields of clinical application for this class of drugs. Oral PDE5 inhibitors have been demonstrated to possess many beneficial useful additional implications with acknowledged anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune response regulation, and antiapoptotic properties. These properties have been elucidated through the nitric oxide/soluble guanylyl cyclase/cyclic guanylate monophosphate pathway in addition to the emerged hemeoxygenase-1 enzyme as well as hydrogen sulfide pathways. These properties could support repurposing oral PDE5 inhibitors' potential adjuvant use in targeting different aspects of COVID-19 infection.ConclusionOral PDE5 inhibitors retain several acknowledged off-labeled useful implications with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune response regulation, and antiapoptotic properties. These properties may support repurposing oral PDE5 inhibitors' potential adjuvant use in the protocols combating COVID-19 manifestations.Mostafa T. Could Oral Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors Have a Potential Adjuvant Role in Combating Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection? Sex Med Rev 2021;9:15–22.

Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors: Adjuvant and Systemic Treatments.

Bronchial carcinoids are uncommon tumors accounting for 20 to 30% of all neuroendocrine tumors and about 1-2% of all cancers of pulmonary origin. Bronchial carcinoids are well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors and have a favorable survival outcome when compared with other subtypes of lung cancers. Treatment of bronchial carcinoids is not simple owing to intricacy of symptom presentation and heterogeneity of disease biology. Successful treatment of patients requires a multimodality approach. Resection is curative in the majority of patients with localized tumors and adjuvant treatment is not routinely recommended. Multiple options for systemic therapy exist for patients with advanced disease. To date, very few randomized clinical trials have been done, partly owing to the relative rarity of this malignancy. Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are reasonable first-line choice for patients with tumors expressing somatostatin receptors. Everolimus is an appropriate first-line choice for somatostatin receptor negative tumors and for any patients with progressive disease. PRRT can also be considered for progressive tumors expressing somatostatin receptors. Based on retrospective series, cytotoxic chemotherapy can be selected in patients with progressive tumors, primarily when cytoreduction is needed. Herein, we will discuss evidence supporting the role of adjuvant and systemic treatment therapies for those with bronchial carcinoid tumors by focusing on various studies.

T-type calcium channel antagonist, TTA-A2 exhibits anti-cancer properties in 3D spheroids of A549, a lung adenocarcinoma cell line

AimsDespite the advanced cancer treatments, there is increased resistance to chemotherapy and subsequent mortality. In lack of reliable data in monolayer cultures and animal models, researchers are shifting to 3D cancer spheroids, which represents the in vivo robust tumour morphology. Calcium is essential in cell signalling and proliferation. It is found that T-type calcium channels (TTCCs) are overexpressed in various cancer cells, supporting their increased proliferation. Many of the TTCCs blockers available could target other channels besides TTCCs, which can cause adverse effects. Therefore, we hypothesise that TTA-A2, a highly selective blocker towards TTCCs, can inhibit the growth of cancer spheroids, and provide an anti-cancer and an adjuvant role in cancer therapy. MethodsWe studied TTA-A2 and paclitaxel (PTX-control drug) in lung adenocarcinoma cell line- A549, cancer cells and human embryonic kidney cell line- HEK 293, control cell, in their monolayer and spheroids forms for viability, proliferation, morphology change, migration, and invasion-after 48–96 h of treatment. Key findingsThough the results varied between the monolayer and spheroids studies, we found both anti-cancer as well as adjuvant effect of TTA-A2 in both the studies. TTA-A2 was able to inhibit the growth, viability, and metastasis of the cancer cells and spheroids. Differences in the results of two modes might explain that why drugs tested successfully in monolayer culture fail in clinical trials. SignificanceThis study establishes the role of TTA-A2, a potent TTCC blocker as an anti-cancer and adjuvant drug in reducing the viability and metastasis of the cancer cells.

Rationale for the use of N-acetylcysteine in both prevention and adjuvant therapy of COVID-19.

COVID‐19 may cause pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiovascular alterations, and multiple organ failure, which have been ascribed to a cytokine storm, a systemic inflammatory response, and an attack by the immune system. Moreover, an oxidative stress imbalance has been demonstrated to occur in COVID‐19 patients. N‐ Acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) is a precursor of reduced glutathione (GSH). Due to its tolerability, this pleiotropic drug has been proposed not only as a mucolytic agent, but also as a preventive/therapeutic agent in a variety of disorders involving GSH depletion and oxidative stress. At very high doses, NAC is also used as an antidote against paracetamol intoxication. Thiols block the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 thereby hampering penetration of SARS‐CoV‐2 into cells. Based on a broad range of antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms, which are herein reviewed, the oral administration of NAC is likely to attenuate the risk of developing COVID‐19, as it was previously demonstrated for influenza and influenza‐like illnesses. Moreover, high‐dose intravenous NAC may be expected to play an adjuvant role in the treatment of severe COVID‐19 cases and in the control of its lethal complications, also including pulmonary and cardiovascular adverse events.

Aluminum Adjuvant Improves Survival Via NLRP3 Inflammasome and Myeloid Non-Granulocytic Cells in a Murine Model of Neonatal Sepsis.

Neonatal sepsis leads to significant morbidity and mortality with the highest risk of death occurring in preterm (<37 weeks) and low birth weight (<2,500 g) infants. The neonatal immune system is developmentally immature with well-described defects in innate and adaptive immune responses. Immune adjuvants used to enhance the vaccine response have emerged as potential therapeutic options, stimulating non-specific immunity and preventing sepsis mortality. Aluminum salts ("alum") have been used as immune adjuvants for over a century, but their mechanism of action remains poorly understood. This study aims to identify potential mechanisms by which pretreatment with alum induces host protective immunity to polymicrobial sepsis in neonatal mice. Utilizing genetic and cell-depletion studies, we demonstrate here that the prophylactic administration of aluminum adjuvants in neonatal mice improves sepsis survival via activation of the nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor family, pyrin-domain-containing 3 inflammasome and dendritic cell activation. Furthermore, this beneficial effect is dependent on myeloid, non-granulocytic Gr1-positive cells, and MyD88-signaling pathway activation. These findings suggest a promising therapeutic role for aluminum-based vaccine adjuvants to prevent development of neonatal sepsis and improve mortality in this highly vulnerable population.

The role of aluminum adjuvants in vaccines raises issues that deserve independent, rigorous and honest science

The role of aluminum adjuvants in vaccines raises issues that deserve independent, rigorous and honest science

Outcomes of universal SARS-CoV-2 testing program in pregnant women admitted to hospital and the adjuvant role of lung ultrasound in screening: a prospective cohort study

Background The emerging evidence for the asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2 infection emphasized the critical need for universal screening of pregnant women.Objectives This study aimed to present the prevalence of overall and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in pregnant women admitted to the hospital, and assess the diagnostic accuracy of maternal symptoms and lung ultrasound (LUS) findings in detecting the infection.Patients and methods This prospective cohort study was conducted at a single tertiary center in Istanbul, Turkey, for a month period starting from 27 April 2020. Women with a confirmed pregnancy regardless of the gestational week admitted to the obstetric unit with any indication were consecutively underwent LUS and PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2.Results A total of 296 patients were included for the final analysis. The universal screening strategy diagnosed 23 pregnant women (7.77%) with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The rate of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 was found as 3.72% (n = 11) and 4.05% (n = 12), respectively. Four of nine women who underwent a second testing for SARS-CoV-2 upon abnormal LUS findings were found positive eventually (17.4%, n = 4/23). The asymptomatic pregnant women with LUS score of 1 and those with normal LUS findings were considered as likely to be normal. Symptomatic patients with LUS score of 1 and those with score of 2 or 3 were considered as abnormal. On a secondary diagnostic performance analysis, the positive predictive value and the sensitivity were found as 44% and 47.8% for the triage based on maternal symptoms and, 82.3% and 60.9% for the triage based on LUS, respectively.Conclusion A one-month trial period of universal testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection with RT-PCR in pregnant women who admitted to the hospital showed an overall and asymptomatic infection diagnose rate of 7.77% and 4%, respectively. Using lung ultrasound was found more predictive in detecting the infection than the use of symptomatology solely.

Role of adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy for resected extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy (A(C)RT) may be an important supplement to surgery for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC). However, whether all patients would achieve benefits from A(C)RT and which adjuvant regimen, adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) or adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (ACRT), would be preferred, are still undetermined. The low incidence of EHCC makes it difficult to carry out randomized controlled trials (RCTs); therefore, almost all clinical studies on radiotherapy are retrospective. We have conducted a meta-analysis of these retrospective studies. We conducted a meta-analysis of current retrospective studies using PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalTrials databases. All studies published in English that were related to A(C)RT and which analyzed overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), or locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were included. Estimated hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for OS, DFS, and LRFS. Data from eight studies including 685 patients were included. Our analysis showed that A(C)RT significantly improved OS (HR 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-0.97, P=0.03), DFS (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.47-0.76, P<0.0001), and LRFS (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.17-0.41, P<0.00001) of EHCC overall. In subgroups, patients with microscopically positive resection margin (R1) could achieve a benefit from A(C)RT (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.27-0.72, P=0.001). No statistically OS difference was observed in negative resection margin (R0) subgroup (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.30-3.19, P=0.98).Significant OS benefit was found in patients who received concurrent ACRT (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.26-0.62, P<0.0001), while the result of ART without chemotherapy showed no significant benefit (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.29-4.50, P=0.85). In the distal cholangiocarcinoma subgroup, no significant difference was seen when ACRT and ART were included (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.14-2.72, P=0.52), but a significant difference was seen when analyzing the concurrent ACRT only (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.13-0.64, P=0.002). A(C)RT may improve OS, DFS, and LRFS in EHCC patients, especially in those with R1 resection margins. ACRT may be superior to ART especially in distal patients.

The efficacy and safety of sulforaphane as an adjuvant in the treatment of bipolar depressive disorder: Study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial.

Background:Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and disabling psychiatric disorder. The treatment of BD still remains a significant clinical challenge due to the complex nature of the disease. Nutraceutical therapy as adjunctive role is a promising therapy for BD. Sulforaphane (SFN), a broccoli extract, was reported to be effective for emotional problems and cognitive impairment. However, clinical research of SFN in the treatment of BD was rare. Therefore, this study is designed to evaluate the adjuvant role of SFN in the treatment of BD.Methods:This is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. A total of 100 patients who meet inclusion criteria will be assigned to receive quetiapine plus SFN or quetiapine plus placebo in a 1:1 ratio. The total duration of the study will be 12 weeks including 5 follow ups. The primary outcome is in the Montgomery–Asberg depression rating scale. The secondary outcomes are the quick inventory of depressive symptomatology—self report, Hamilton anxiety rating scale, young mania rating scale, cognitive function, inflammatory factors, and intestinal flora. Any adverse events will be recorded throughout the trial.Discussion:This trial will provide evidences to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SFN combined with quetiapine in the treatment of BD patients, as well as the adjuvant role of SFN in combination.Trial registration:This study protocol was registered at the Chinese clinical trial registry (ChiCTR2000028706).

Galectin-8 Enhances T cell Response by Promotion of Antigen Internalization and Processing.

SummaryGalectin-8 (Gal-8) is a mammalian lectin endowed with immunostimulatory ability. In the present work, we demonstrate that Gal-8-glycan interactions on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) promote antigen binding and internalization, independently from antigen nature. Both Gal-8 and antigen were together internalized and localized in early endosomes. Interestingly, antigen processing by APCs was also accelerated in the presence of Gal-8 as a separate mechanism, distinct from the increased antigen internalization. Moreover, APCs pulsed together with antigen and Gal-8 were able to activate cognate CD4+ T cells more efficiently than those pulsed with antigen alone. This enhanced antigen presentation was still evident in the absence of costimulatory signals and APCs-derived soluble mediators. Therefore, our results provide evidence for as yet unrecognized mechanism by which Gal-8 stimulates the elicitation of the immune response in a lectin-dependent manner, by inducing antigen uptake and processing upon lattice formation at APCs surface.

Role of Environmental Adjuvants in Asthma Development.

This review summarizes recent progress in our understanding how environmental adjuvants promote the development of asthma. Asthma is a heterogeneous set of lung pathologies with overlapping features. Human studies and animal models suggest that exposure to different environmental adjuvants activate distinct immune pathways, which in turn give rise to distinct forms, or endotypes, of allergic asthma. Depending on their concentrations, inhaled TLR ligands can activate either type 2 inflammation, or Th17 differentiation, along with regulatory responses that function to attenuate inflammation. By contrast, a different category of environmental adjuvants, proteases, activate distinct immune pathways and prime predominantly type 2 immune responses. Asthma is not a single disease, but rather a group of pathologies with overlapping features. Different endotypes of asthma likely arise from perturbations of distinct immunologic pathways during allergic sensitization.

Overview on Keloid Disorder: Phenotypic Spectrum, Connective Tissue Pathology, and Treatment Development

Overview on Keloid Disorder: Phenotypic Spectrum, Connective Tissue Pathology, and Treatment Development