Immunologic Research最新文献

This study assessed trends in age-standardized incidence (ASIR), prevalence (ASPR), and mortality rates (ASMR) per 100,000 population for asthma, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Psoriasis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in China from 1990 to 2021 and projected ASIR trends through 2046. Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study. Trends in ASIR, ASPR, and ASMR were analyzed using Joinpoint regression to calculate annual percentage change (APC) and average APC (AAPC). Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) modeling was applied to project future ASIR trends. In 2021, asthma had the highest ASIR (364.17/100,000), followed by psoriasis (59.70/100,000) and RA (13.70/100,000), while MS (0.16/100,000) and IBD (1.40/100,000) were the least common. Asthma exhibited significant declines in ASIR (-1.23% AAPC), ASPR (-1.49%), and ASMR (-4.4%). Conversely, T1DM showed rising ASIR (+ 1.16%) and ASPR (+ 1.15%) alongside declining ASMR (-2.62%). Psoriasis (+ 0.74%) and IBD (+ 2.09%) also showed rising ASIR. Gender differences were notable, with greater T1DM ASIR increases in males and more significant asthma improvements in females. By 2046, the ASIR of T1DM, psoriasis, and RA is projected to reach 5.8, 80.9, and 15.54 per 100,000, respectively, while asthma is expected to decline to 330.98 per 100,000. The rising ASIR and ASPR for most autoimmune diseases in China contrast with declining ASMR, highlighting the dual challenge of managing increasing disease burdens while sustaining reductions in mortality. Targeted prevention and management strategies are essential to address these evolving public health needs.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the virus-specific T-cell response after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, using the QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 interferon-γ release assay. A search was conducted (June 8, 2023) in the PUBMED, SCOPUS, and medRxiv databases, to identify studies reporting the QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 (Starter (two antigen tubes) or Starter + Extended Pack (three antigen tubes), cut-off ≥ 0.15 IU/mL) positivity rate (PR) in immunocompetent adults, following the administration of two or three COVID-19 mRNA vaccine doses. Study quality was evaluated with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Tool. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed. Eleven eligible studies (with 5-73 vaccinated immunocompetent participants) were identified. For COVID-19-naïve participants, ≤ 3 months after the second dose, the pooled PR (random-effects model) was 86 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 78-95%). Comparing the Starter vs. the Starter + Extended Pack, a significant difference in PRs was detected (80.6% vs. 100% p-value < 0.001). At 3-6 and >6 months after the second dose and ≥ 3 months after the third dose, the pooled PRs were 59% (95% CI 45-72%), 79% (95% CI 66-92%), and 66% (95% CI 50-82%), respectively. For convalescent participants, ≥ 6 months after the third dose, the pooled PR was 81% (95% CI 67-95%). Limitations include heterogeneity and a small number of studies, at some timepoints. In conclusion, following the second or third COVID-19 mRNA vaccine dose, QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 detected positive responses in a certain percentage of the vaccinees, possibly because of waning immunity, reduced assay sensitivity, or lack of T-cell response induction in some vaccinees. The detection of positive responses was higher when the Starter + Extended Pack was used. PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42023431315.

This study aims to characterize the majority of immune cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) by a 21-color flow cytometry panel. Patients who met the predetermined eligibility criteria for pneumonia diagnosis were recruited for the research study. Multi-color flow cytometry was conducted on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of each patient group, which were then subjected to dimensionality reduction and cluster analysis. In our study, the proportion of activated CD4 + T cell and naïve CD8 + T in children with MPP was higher than that of children with non-MPP, and the proportion of CD8 + T cell and central memory CD8 + T cell in MPP children was lower. Central memory CD4 + T cell and activated CD4 + T cell in the severe MPP were higher than those in the mild MPP. The highest proportions of CD8 + T cell, CD8 + Tn cell, activated CD8 + T cell, and total activated T cell were observed in the pulmonary consolidation-mucous group when compared to the pulmonary consolidation-necrosis and bronchiolitis groups. In the pulmonary consolidation-necrosis group, the proportions of central memory CD4 + T cell and T helper 17 cell were higher than those in pulmonary consolidation-mucous and bronchiolitis groups. In the bronchiolitis group, the percentages of CD4 + T cell, naïve CD4 + T cell, and T helper 2 cell were higher than those in pulmonary consolidation-mucous and the pulmonary consolidation-necrosis groups. The T lymphocyte subsets were different among various groups, offering new insights into the immune system of pediatric patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) has been postulated as an infectious trigger of psoriatic disease, namely psoriasis (Ps) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but meticulous antibody (ab) reactivity against all dominant and subdominant Hp antigens in demographically matched PsA and Ps patients and healthy controls has not been performed so far. IgG anti-Hp ab testing was performed by combining immunoblotting and line assays in 263 serum samples from 89 patients with PsA, 114 patients with Ps, and 60 demographically matched healthy controls (HCs). Anti-Hp positivity did not differ between PsA, Ps, and HCs (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). In PsA, anti-p75, anti-p67-FSH, anti-p66-UreB, anti-p54-flagellin, anti-p41, and anti-p30-OMP abs were more frequent in patients compared to HCs (P < 0.001, P = 0.028, P = 0.010, P = 0.003, P = 0.012, P = 0.020 respectively). In Ps, anti-p66-UreB and anti-p54-flagellin abs were more frequent than HC (P = 0.015 and P = 0.011, respectively), while anti-p50 abs were less frequent than HCs (P = 0.008). Anti-p75, anti-p67-FSH, anti-p50, anti-p41, anti-p30-OMP, anti-p29 = UreA and anti-p26 ab levels were higher in PsA compared to Ps (P = 0.012, P = 0.036, P < 0.001, P = 0.021, P = 0.002, P = 0.006 and P = 0.021 respectively). DAS28 scores were positively correlated with anti-p19 ab levels (r = 0.349, P = 0.050) in PsA patients by linear regression analysis. No other significant clinical association with anti-Hp responses was noted in patients with PsA and Ps. Our results demonstrate that several antigen-specific anti-Hp abs are more frequent in patients with psoriatic disease; however, negative correlations also exist, raising doubts about whether Hp is immunologically linked to psoriatic disease.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential for promoting T lymphocyte responses since they are specialist antigen-presenting cells. In order to maintain tolerance or initiate immune responses, DCs must be activated in a balanced and regulated manner via diverse signaling pathways. By using a variety of pharmacological components, we can interfere with their different signaling pathways such as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) to appropriately modulate DC activity. In the current study, we administered RAD001 to DCs to examine the impact of mTOR inhibition on both the maturation stage and the expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules in DCs. Pure monocytes were cultivated and stimulated with GM-CSF and IL-4 to generate immature DCs, which were then treated with RAD001. The phenotype of the DCs was determined by labeling surface markers and analyzing them using flow cytometry. Afterward, real-time PCR was carried out to evaluate the expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes. The administration of RAD001 to DCs led to a significant upregulation in the gene expression of inflammatory molecules such as IL-12, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-KB). Conversely, RAD001 treatment resulted in a decrease in the gene expression of anti-inflammatory factors IL-10 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). However, the expression of differentiation and antigen presentation-related markers CD11c and human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-DR in RAD001-treated DCs was lower and higher compared to the control group that did not receive the treatment, respectively. Taken together, our findings indicated that RAD001 treatment of DCs can be a promising therapeutic approach for the generation of immunogenic DCs in order to barricade tumor growth. However, there is a need for further investigation to evaluate the impacts of mTOR inhibition by RAD001 in DCs on cellular immune responses in vitro and in vivo.

Natural killer (NK) cells are a cytotoxic subset of innate lymphoid cells and have key roles in antitumoral immunity. This study evaluates the roles of immune checkpoint receptors on NK cell phenotype and functions both before and after circulation through tumor tissue. Twenty non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing surgery and 21 healthy controls were included. Lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral venous blood, tumor-draining venous blood, and tumor tissue. Immune checkpoint receptor (ICR) expressions, intracellular cytokines, and cytotoxic capacity of NK cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. Circulatory levels of sPD-1, sCTLA-4, sLAG-3, and sTIGIT were determined by ELISA. PD-1, CTLA-4, and LAG-3 expressions of both cytotoxic (CD56^neg/dimCD16^bright) and cytokine-producing (CD56^bright/dimCD16^neg) NK cells increased in tumor tissue compared to both peripheral and tumor-draining veins. NK cells expressing PD-1, CTLA-4, or LAG-3 had significantly lower IFN- $\gamma$ and TNF- $\alpha$ and increased IL-10 expressions in tumor tissue compared to peripheral venous blood. The cytotoxic activity (perforin and granzyme A expressions) of NK cells from tumor tissue was significantly reduced compared to peripheral blood. Soluble ICRs decreased in peripheral blood and tumor-draining vein of the patients compared to peripheral blood of healthy individuals. However, NK cell phenotype and functions were similar in peripheral blood and tumor-draining vein. NSCLC tumor microenvironment impacts ICR expressions in NK cells, and ICR-expressing NK cells have impaired inflammatory cytokine secretion and cytotoxic activities with a regulatory phenotype. However, tumor-draining venous blood did not reflect the immune status of the tumor tissue.

Currently, COVID-19 is still striking after 4 years of prevalence, with millions of cases and thousands of fatalities being recorded every month. The virus can impact other major organ systems, including the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), cardiovascular, central nervous system, renal, and hepatobiliary systems. The resulting organ dysfunction from SARS-CoV-2 may be attributed to one or a combination of mechanisms, such as direct viral toxicity, disruptions in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), thrombosis, immune dysregulation, and ischemic injury due to vasculitis. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines effectively reduce the severity of the disease, hospitalizations, and mortality. As of October 2024, 13.58 billion vaccine doses have been administered, with an average of 6959 daily doses. Also, the boosters are given after the primary immunization in a homologous and heterologous manner. The vaccines imposed severe potential health side effects such as clotting or obstruction of blood vessels termed arterial or venous thrombosis, autoimmune damage of nerve cells (Guillain-Barré syndrome; GBS), intense activation of coagulation system (vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia), acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), myocarditis, pericarditis, and glomerular disease. Overall, it is essential to highlight that the significant benefits of COVID-19 vaccination far outweigh the low risk of conditions. mRNA-based vaccine technology has emerged as a rapidly deployable vaccine candidate and a viable alternative to existing vaccines. It has a very low probability of adverse health effects, confirmed by data represented by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), Yellow card approved under CDC, WHO.

CVID (common variable immunodeficiency) is associated with a variety of gastrointestinal disorders including those mimicking Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. At present there is no clear trial data for the treatment of CVID enteropathy. There are no specific recommendations for treatment; however, it is commonly treated in a similar manner to inflammatory bowel disease, with corticosteroids, 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA), azathioprine and anti-TNF therapy all being used. We describe the case of a 54-year-old with CVID-enteropathy presenting with diarrhoea and evidence of granulomatous inflammation on colonic biopsies. He was successfully treated with ustekinumab following failure/intolerance of prednisolone, 5-ASA and azathioprine. Features of CVID-enteropathy improved both clinically and histologically, with no evidence of serious treatment-related side effects.