Iranian journal of allergy, asthma, and immunology最新文献

Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a prevalent cause of respiratory infections in children, sometimes leading to pleural effusion (PE). This study aimed to identify risk factors and clinical features associated with PE in pediatric MPP patients. We conducted a retrospective case-control study involving 412 children with MPP and 82 with MPP+PE at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2021 to January 2024. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Significant findings included a higher incidence of immunocompromised states in the MPP+PE group (18.29% vs. 8.98%). At admission, children with MPP+PE exhibited higher respiratory rates (29.94 vs. 29.16 breaths/min), lower oxygen saturation (82.33% vs. 83.14%), longer fever duration (5.75 vs. 4.83 days), elevated white blood cell counts (WBC) (11.64×10^9/L vs. 10.12×10^9/L), and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) (20.66 vs. 19.49 mm/h). Patients with PE also experienced longer antibiotic treatment (9.14±4.91 vs. 7.46±3.29 days) and extended hospital stays (13.58±4.18 vs. 12.37±3.52 days). Multivariate analysis identified several significant predictors of PE, and a joint prediction model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.842, sensitivity of 0.796, and specificity of 0.793. These findings suggest that specific clinical and laboratory factors can help identify children at higher risk for PE, facilitating timely interventions.

Hypoxia serves as a fundamental component of the tumor microenvironment, exerting a crucial influence on tumor advancement. Nonetheless, a comprehensive examination of a prognostic signature linked to hypoxia in pancreatic cancer is notably absent, presenting an urgent necessity. Therefore, our objective was to create and authenticate a robust prognostic signature capable of predicting outcomes for pancreatic cancer. Initially, the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) database was used to obtain hypoxia-related genes, and prognostic genes were analyzed. Following this, we utilized the Lasso Cox regression model to construct the hypoxia risk score model. Pancreatic cancer patients were subsequently categorized into high- and low-risk groups according to the median risk score. Finally, the CIBERSORT technique was used to assess immune cell infiltration while examining the relationship between hypoxia and immune-related genes. Applying the Lasso Cox regression model, we pinpointed 2 significant genes, GYS1 and ALDOB. Following this, patients were categorized into hypoxia high-risk and low-risk groups. Notably, the low-risk cohort demonstrated a substantially heightened survival rate relative to the high-risk group. Further investigation into the immune microenvironment unveiled a greater prevalence of resting mast cells, monocytes, plasma cells, and naive CD4+ T cells in the low-risk category. In addition, we detected differences in the expression of 39 immune-related genes between the 2 groups. In summary, our study has established a predictive signature comprising molecular markers for forecasting the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients.

While vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is implicated in both asthma and osteoporosis, the synergistic mechanisms linking these comorbidities remain unexplored. This study introduces a novel murine model of VDD-induced concurrent asthma and osteoporosis, uniquely addressing their bidirectional exacerbation through NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and oxidative stress crosstalk. Female C57 mice were stratified into control, bronchial asthma (BA), osteoporosis (OP), BA+OP, and VDD+BA+OP groups, with therapeutic evaluation of low-dose (LD) and high-dose (HD) vitamin D supplementation. Unlike prior studies, our results demonstrate that VDD amplifies airway resistance and bone microstructural deterioration via NLRP3-driven pyroptosis (elevated cleaved caspase-1, N-terminal gasdermin D and suppressed antioxidant defenses (reduced glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and elevated malondialdehyde). Critically, HD supplementation reversed these effects more robustly than LD, restoring pulmonary compliance, trabecular integrity (bone volume/total volume: 0.0298 vs 0.0356 in VDD+BA+OP), and suppressing inflammasome activity. Mechanistically, we identify a feedforward loop wherein VDD-induced oxidative stress primes NLRP3 activation, which further exacerbates inflammation and bone resorption-a pathway uniquely mitigated by HD vitamin D. These findings provide the first evidence of HD vitamin D's dual therapeutic efficacy in comorbid asthma-osteoporosis, offering a paradigm shift in targeting the NLRP3/oxidative stress axis for managing multifactorial inflammatory diseases.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of a strong immune system in fighting infectious diseases. Understanding the relationship between exercise, physical activity, and immune function is crucial for recognizing how lifestyle factors can improve immune resilience. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of exercise on the immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it presents recommendations, guidelines, and considerations for engaging in physical activity during this period. Based on the literature review, there is some controversy regarding the effects of high-intensity exercise on individuals' immune systems, whereas moderate exercise is generally beneficial in almost all cases. Also, individuals experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms or other acute illnesses should abstain from physical activity until recovery.

MicroRNA (miR)-148a-3p is most frequently upregulated in solid tumors, such as colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to elucidate the role of miR-148a-3p in CRC cell proliferation and immune escape and its potential mechanism. miR-148a-3p and Kruppel-like transcription factor 4 (KLF4) expressions were quantified by western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and immune evasion abilities of CRC cells were evaluated with the cell counting kit-8 assay, Transwell, western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The proliferation or apoptosis of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells after coculture with CRC cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter gene testing was used to validate the targeting association between KLF4 and miR-148a-3p. A nude mouse subcutaneous graft tumor model was constructed, and CD8+ T cell infiltration was detected by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. miR-148a-3p exhibited a high level, while KLF4 was under-expressed in CRC cells; miR-148a-3p negatively regulated the KLF4 level. Overexpression of miR-148a-3p enhanced CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT, and immune escape; silencing miR-148a-3p caused the opposite trend; moreover, the said biological functions of CRC cells were weakened with overexpression of KLF4 but enhanced with silencing of KLF4; silencing KLF4 weakened the influences of dampened miR-148a-3p on CRC development. Silencing miR-148a-3p promoted the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and inhibited tumor growth. In summary, miR-148a-3p promotes CRC cell proliferation and immune evasion by regulating the expression of KLF4. This finding can be used for reference when developing a new way of CRC treatment.

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has emerged as a potential biomarker for differentiating between various causes of non-chronic cough, particularly in conditions associated with airway inflammation, such as asthma. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of FeNO in pediatric patients with non-chronic cough and its ability to differentiate between asthma exacerbations and respiratory tract infections. Seventy-five pediatric patients aged 10-18 years with non-chronic cough were categorized into three groups: good control asthma (GCA, n=28), acute asthma exacerbation (AAE, n=26), and respiratory tract infection (RTI, n=21). Clinical assessments included FeNO measurement, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (HB), platelet count (PLT), and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were applied to assess the predictive value of these variables. FeNO levels were significantly higher in the AAE group (46.58±22.66 ppb) compared to the GCA and RTI groups, indicating elevated eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma exacerbations. CRP was a significant predictor of both AAE and RTI, with a one-unit increase in CRP increasing the odds of exacerbation or infection by 2.6-fold. Body max index (BMI) was inversely associated with the risk of RTI. Hemoglobin, platelet count, and IgE levels were significantly higher in the AAE group compared to the other groups, while WBC counts, though elevated, were not statistically significant. FeNO associated with other inflammatory markers, including CRP and BMI, could enhance diagnostic accuracy and inform clinical decision-making in managing pediatric respiratory conditions. To confirm these results, future studies with larger sample sizes should be performed.

After chemotherapy or radiation therapy, autophagy activity increases in tumor cells for the adaptation of the tumor cells to stress. Thus, disturbance in autophagy can enhance the effectiveness of anticancer drugs. On the other hand, recent findings highlight the importance of microRNAs (miRs) in autophagy, including miR-146a-5p. In gastric and breast cancer miR-146a-5p is frequently reduced, and more precise identification of its function in these cancers is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between miR-146a-5p and autophagy in MKN-45 (human stomach cancer cell line) and MCF-7(breast cancer cell line). The expression of miR-146a-5p in MKN-45 and MCF-7 cell lines was measured before and after induction of autophagy using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A flow cytometry assay was used for the apoptosis assay, and autophagy induction was approved. Also, the formation of autophagic vacuoles was ensured in cells by western blotting and fluorescence microscopy. Real-time PCR showed that miR-146a-5p level in starvation groups, during autophagy, was significantly lower than in control groups, and also tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) level, a key target of miR-146a-5p, in starvation groups, during autophagy, was more than control groups but it was significant only in the MCF-7 group. According to previous studies and the results of the present study, miR-146a-5p may be considered a negative regulator of autophagy. However, to confirm this, further studies are needed on different cancer cell lines.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) poses a significant challenge to vaccine development due to its complex biology characterized by latency, immune evasion strategies, and undefined correlates of protection (CoPs). HCMV latency allows the virus to evade immune surveillance by remaining in a quiescent state in host cells, with the risk of reactivation triggered by immune damage or cell differentiation. In addition, HCMV employs an arsenal of immune evasion strategies, including modulating MHC expression, inhibiting natural killer (NK) cell activity, and subverting antibody-mediated responses, so these mechanisms further complicate vaccine design. Despite these obstacles, advances in basic research in immunology and vaccine technologies offer new opportunities. Strategies such as targeting latency-associated mechanisms, using memory inflation of CMV-specific T cells to induce long-term tissue-resident immunity, and developing immunogens that antagonize viral immunoevasins are promising approaches. New platforms, including mRNA and vector-based vaccines, show the potential to elicit robust humoral and cellular responses against key viral antigens such as glycoprotein B, pentamer complex, and pp65. In addition, adjuvants that restore impaired NK and T cell function could improve vaccine effectiveness. This review examines the molecular and immunological barriers to HCMV vaccine development and highlights innovative approaches to address these challenges. By addressing the complexities of latency, immune evasion, and CoPs, we propose a roadmap for developing a multimodal vaccine that can provide effective and durable protection against HCMV infections.

To explore the immunological underpinnings and prognostic potential of gene expression profiles in bladder cancer through comprehensive analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. We used the TCGA data to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and performed enrichment analysis to reveal the related biological pathways. Meanwhile, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm was adopted to develop a prognostic model. Then we evaluated the performance of the model in both TCGA and GSE13507 datasets. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on the feature genes utilized in model construction, encompassing both gene expression profiling and survival analysis. Finally, immune infiltration analysis and drug sensitivity analysis were applied to elucidate the immunological basis of the disease and provide potential therapeutic strategies. We identified a total of 837 DEGs, with a focus on immune-related genes. Using the LASSO algorithm, we developed a prognostic model incorporating seven key genes-NXPH4, FAM110B, GPC2, STXBP6, CYP27B1, GARNL3, and PTGER3-which demonstrated strong predictive accuracy in both TCGA and GSE13507 datasets. Moreover, immune infiltration analysis revealed a higher abundance of M0 and M2 macrophages in high-risk patients, suggesting that macrophage polarization could be a potential therapeutic target to modulate the immune microenvironment. Drug sensitivity analysis further suggested that high-risk patients exhibit differential responses to several chemotherapy agents, with potential therapeutic implications. This study constructed an effective prognostic model, providing new insights and potential therapeutic targets for the personalized treatment of bladder cancer, which needs further validation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the ubiquitin specific peptidase 10 (USP10/methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3)/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) axis in immunotherapy of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Knockdown experiments were conducted in CRPC cell lines to assess the effect of targeting CXCR4 on cell proliferation invasion and migration. Coculture experiments of CXCR4 knockdown CRPC cells with THP1-M0 were performed to evaluate their impact on macrophage polarization and migration ability. With CD8+ T cells was conducted to assess their effects on CD8+ T cell proliferation and apoptosis. CXCR4-overexpressing CRPC cells were treated with the JAK-2 specific inhibitor AG490 to assess the effect of CXCR4 through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway on CRPC. The mechanisms by which USP10 regulates CXCR4 expression through targeting METTL3 were explored through dataset analysis, bioinformatics prediction, and Western blot. In CRPC tissues and cells, there was an observed increase in CXCR4 expression. Suppressing CXCR4 through knockdown methods resulted in the inhibition of CRPC cell growth, movement, and infiltration. Additionally, it led to a reduction in M2 polarization and the recruitment of Tohoku Hospital Pediatrics-1 (THP1) M0 macrophages, along with a mitigation of CD8+ T cell exhaustion. Dataset analysis, bioinformatics prediction, and Western blot validation indicated that CXCR4 activates the JAK2/STAT3 pathway to promote the expression of CCL2 and PD-L1, while USP10 promotes CXCR4 expression through METTL3. Our study underscores the significance of the USP10/METTL3/CXCR4 axis in immunotherapy for CRPC and CXCR4 as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in CRPC treatment.