BMC Immunology最新文献

Objectives: Our previous study confirmed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with polymorphisms of PHLDB1 and WDFY4 genes. In this study, we investigatedthe clinical relevance of PHLDB1 and WDFY4 in SLE pathogenesis and their potential as biomarkers.

Methods: A total of 634 SLE patients from Sichuan University West China Hospital and 400 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Serum PHLDB1 and WDFY4 of SLE patients and HCs were measured by ELISA, and the laboratory indicators were collected through the electronic medical record. LASSO, logistic regression, and random forest models for SLE diagnosis and LN prediction, including variables: age, sex, serum proteins (PHLDB1/WDFY4), genotypes, cytokines, and clinical markers.

Results: Results revealed elevated PHLDB1 in SLE patients compared to controls (1.61 vs. 1.48 ng/mL, P = 0.025), while paradoxically showing suppression in LN versus Non-LN patients (1.42 vs. 1.52 ng/mL, P = 0.031). WDFY4 specifically increased in LN (666.59 vs. 594.57 pg/mL, P < 0.001) without systemic SLE alterations. Machine learning models incorporating these biomarkers demonstrated diagnostic utility, with random forest achieving AUC 0.843 for SLE discrimination and AUC 0.990 for LN prediction. LN patients concurrently exhibited distinct immune dysregulation (reduced IL-6/IL-17 and elevated TNF-α/IL-18) and renal metabolic impairment. These findings position PHLDB1 as a systemic SLE biomarker and WDFY4 as a LN-specific blood indicator, showing promise for clinical subtyping applications. Further validation of these stratified biomarkers is warranted.

Conclusion: Our results confirm a correlation between the serum levels of PHLDB1 and the occurrence of SLE.

Background: Brain metastasis (BM) remains a major therapeutic challenge in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without actionable driver mutations. Radiotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) may enhance intracranial control through synergistic immune activation. This study evaluated the efficacy of radiotherapy plus ICI and explored prognostic factors influencing outcomes in patients with NSCLC-BM.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 116 patients with measurable, driver-negative NSCLC-BM treated between June 2019 and December 2024. Patients were divided into two groups: Radiotherapy combined with ICI plus chemotherapy (RT + ICI, n = 56) and ICI plus chemotherapy (ICI, n = 60). Intracranial and systemic objective response rates (iORR, sORR) and progression-free survival (iPFS, sPFS) were analyzed. Prognostic factors, including the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), were assessed using Cox regression analyses.

Results: Compared with the ICI group, the RT + ICI group demonstrated a significantly higher iORR (78.6% vs 40.0%, P < 0.001) and significantly longer median iPFS (11.8 vs 7.9 months; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.48, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.30-0.77, P = 0.002), and sPFS (8.9 vs 5.9 months; HR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.38-0.89, P = 0.014). High PNI (≥ 42.15) was independently associated with prolonged iPFS (HR = 8.77, 95% CI 2.91-26.47, P < 0.001) and sPFS (HR = 8.46, 95% CI 3.39-21.10, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Radiotherapy combined with immunochemotherapy was associated with improved intracranial and systemic outcomes compared to immunochemotherapy alone in patients with driver-negative NSCLC-BM. Additionally, PNI shows potential as a useful biomarker for predicting therapeutic outcomes.

Background: The diversity of clinical symptoms of neonatal sepsis leads to difficulties in diagnosis, and the treatment is limited. This study aims to investigate the role of the SIRT1/miR-223 signaling axis in neonatal sepsis.

Methods: 100 neonates with sepsis and 100 healthy infants were included in this study. The RT-qPCR was used to detect RNA and inflammatory factor levels in serum. Peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated by gradient centrifugation. LPS-stimulated neutrophils were detected for MPO activity and inflammatory factor expression. Neutrophils were transfected with miR-223 oligonucleotide and SIRT1-related plasmid to detect changes in neutrophil-related parameters.

Results: Neonates with sepsis had a significantly stronger inflammatory response than healthy infants, and the expression of miR-223 and SIRT1 in the serum was remarkably reduced. ROC curves showed that miR-223 had a diagnostic value for neonatal sepsis. The expression of miR-223 and SIRT1 was notably reduced in the model cells, and overexpression of miR-223 attenuated the inflammatory response in the LPS-induced neutrophil. Overexpression of SIRT1 could alleviate the enhanced inflammatory response due to inhibition of miR-223.

Conclusion: Overexpression of SIRT1 upregulated miR-223 expression, which attenuated the LPS-induced neutrophil activity and inflammatory response. The SIRT1/miR-223 signaling axis provides a potential therapeutic target for the clinical management of neonatal sepsis.

Background: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease in which the immune system of the body unintentionally targets liver cells, resulting in inflammation, liver damage, and cirrhosis if treatment is not received. Although the precise origin of AIH remains unknown, experts believe that environmental and genetic factors play significant roles in its pathogenesis. This study describes the clinical, biochemical, and long-term outcomes of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) at the Science and Technology Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen.

Methodology: This was a retrospective, single-center study.

Participants: All patients with AIH diagnosed at the Science and Technology Hospital between 2019 and 2024 were included.

Results: Most patients were male (18 of 25, 72%). All patients displayed common signs and symptoms of AIH, including hepatomegaly, vomiting, jaundice, and abdominal distention. In addition to positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA), the majority of individuals showed increased AST levels. The most prevalent hematological abnormalities were thrombocytopenia (64%) and anemia (56%). Regarding the outcome after hospital admission, 60% of cases improved, 12% were discharged against medical advice, 8% died, and 20% had unknown outcomes.

Conclusion: Autoimmune hepatitis affects patients of Yemeni descent. The most common symptom is jaundice. Only Type I AIH was observed in this cohort, and the mortality rate reached 8%.