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Anti-Inflammatory Compounds Derived from Marine Macroalgae
Published in Se-Kwon Kim, Marine Biochemistry, 2023
Snezana Agatonovic-Kustrin, David W. Morton
Inflammation is a part of the body’s immune response as a first line of defense to injury or invasion by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or cancer cells in the host (Calder 2006). The purpose of inflammation is to control damage and to identify and destroy invading pathogens. Therefore, inflammation is vital for host health in acute disease states. However, if inflammation continues long-term, uncontrolled, at a subclinical level, the activated immune system can start to damage host tissues and enhance chronic disease states such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Hansson 2005), inflammatory bowel disease (Fiocchi 1998; Okamoto and Watanabe 2015), cancer (Crusz and Balkwill 2015), diabetes (Pickup 2004), asthma (Murdoch and Lloyd 2010), and Alzheimer’s disease (Akiyama et al. 2000). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (SAIDs) that are commonly used in the treatment of these diseases have serious side effects (Marcum and Hanlon 2010). Thus, there is great interest in the natural anti-inflammatory compounds in products such as dietary supplements and herbal remedies due to the lower incidence of side effects.
Delivery of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Using Nanoparticles
Published in Hala Gali-Muhtasib, Racha Chouaib, Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Treatment, 2020
Abdullah Shaito, Houssein Hajj Hassan
In essence, immunotherapy against cancer entails the use of naturally or synthetically derived components to activate or enhance an immune response against cancer cells. [6]. Historically, there are many reports on tumor clearance following pathogen infection. In fact, there were several trials, dating back to the late 19th century, that used infections as therapy for cancer. The basic concept behind such trials was the possibility that the infection would stimulate an immune response, leading to an immune rejection of the tumor. In 1891, the first known immunotherapeutic trial in humans was performed by an American surgeon, William B. Coley, who inoculated “erysipelas,” i.e., live cultured Streptococci, into a sarcoma patient stimulating an antitumor immune response [7]. Also, German clinicians, 150 years ago, had seriously attempted this strategy of infectious therapy [8, 9]. The clinical outcome of such an infectious therapy was varied, until finally it resulted in the use of BCG to treat patients with bladder tumors [10]. Most importantly, Coley’s trials founded the basis for investigating the interaction between the immune system and tumor cells and raised the possibility of cancer therapy by utilizing this interaction.
Molecular Analysis in Mechanobiology
Published in Jiro Nagatomi, Eno Essien Ebong, Mechanobiology Handbook, 2018
Antibodies are proteins expressed by B lymphocytes that contribute to specific immune responses by binding to foreign (nonself) molecules termed antigens. The basic antibody subunit is a Y-shaped structure that is composed of two identical copies of heavy and light chains connected by disulfide bridges (Figure 3.4). Five different classes of antibodies are expressed (IgM, IgG, IgD, IgA, and IgE) that differ in the number of Y subunits and the type of heavy chain. Each antibody subunit has two antigen-binding domains in the Fab regions that are identical among all the antibodies produced by an individual B cell, but highly variable among the overall population of B cells. This diversity results from recombination of the immunoglobulin genes during B cell maturation and provides each individual with an antibody repertoire capable of recognizing an estimated >109 different antigens [66]. Each antibody subunit also has an Fc region that is constant among all the antibodies of a particular class and provides binding sites for complement proteins and macrophages. The antigen-binding domains of each antibody recognize a relatively small region of the antigen (typically 6–10 amino acids) termed an epitope. Therefore, a typical antigen such as a protein will contain multiple epitopes, each of which may be recognized by different specific antibodies. Antibody–antigen binding is mediated by multiple, cooperative non-covalent interactions, providing very high specificity that has made antibodies the central tool for studying protein expression.
IL-4 functionalized titanium dioxide nanotubes modulate the inflammatory response of macrophages
Published in Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 2020
Xufeng Yan, Ke Shen, Qiang Tang, Xingtang Fang, Chunlei Zhang, Zhaojing Zhu, Yanhua Hou, Min Lai
Inflammatory signaling is a normal response following injury and is seen when biomaterials are implanted into the host [1]. Inflammation is an early immune response due to tissue damage and plays an important role in tissue regeneration. Macrophages are immune cells and exhibit high plasticity, which play a crucial role in inflammatory responses and wound healing [2]. Recent studies have shown that macrophages can play both a positive and negative role in tissue repair, depending on their state of polarization [3,4]. Due to their ability to differentiate into pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes, their role in healing has received increasing attention in recent years. The different microenvironments caused by physical and chemical cues that the macrophages are exposed to have been shown to control which polarization state the macrophages differentiate into [5]. M1-polarized macrophages produce pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. High levels of TNF-α, especially for a prolonged period, have shown an inhibitory effect on tissue repair [6]. M2-polarized macrophages can produce transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) [7], bone morphogenetic protein-2 [8], as well as vascular endothelial growth factor [9], all of which are important for wound healing. Therefore, modulating the M2 polarization of macrophage is essential for the success of tissue healing and recovery.
Immunology research in Latin American countries: a bibliometric analysis of scientific productivity and collaboration covering the period 2000–2017
Published in Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology and Society, 2021
Luis Humberto Fabila-Castillo, Ruy Fabila-Monroy, Ana Alejandra Morales-Rodríguez
Immunology is an important branch of the biomedical sciences that studies the immune system which defends us against infections. When we are exposed to an infectious microorganism, non-specific immune mechanisms protect us from becoming infected. In some cases, these mechanisms are insufficient, and the individual becomes infected. In this case, what is called an adaptive or specific immune response recognizes molecules from the microorganisms, called antigens, and mounts an immune response against these antigens, which finally eliminates the microorganism. After this, the individual becomes immune to that particular microorganism. In other cases, the immune system cannot get rid of the microorganism, and the individual gets sick and possibly dies. The immune response can also cause damage to the individual, as is the case of allergies where a particular type of immune response is mounted against common antigens, not necessarily derived from infectious microorganisms. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology estimates that, worldwide, 40% to 50% of schoolchildren suffer from some type of allergy (https://www.aaaai.org/about-aaaai/newsroom/allergy-statistics). Sometimes, the immune response is directed against self-antigens, and the immune system attacks our organism, resulting in what is called an autoimmune disease. More than 80 autoimmune diseases have been identified, and most of them have severe and long-term effects on health. They are widespread worldwide, and their incidence and prevalence are increasing (Lerner, Jeremias, and Matthias 2015). The immune system also has an essential role in controlling cancerous cells. Cancer develops when these cells manage to avoid destruction by the immune system. In the last decades, immunologists have devised ways to manipulate the immune system to defeat several types of cancer successfully (Yang 2015).
Effect of rest period configurations on systemic inflammatory response in resistance-trained women
Published in Journal of Sports Sciences, 2021
Hui-Ying Luk, Margaret T. Jones, Jakob L. Vingren
Upon mechanical stress- induced muscle trauma, commonly measured using serum creatine kinase concentration, initiation of a series of immune responses is required to have proper muscle recovery and to improve muscle mass (Tidball, 2017). Such an immune response often results in inflammation, which is predominantly regulated by cytokines as these molecules facilitate intercellular communication systemically and locally (Peake et al., 2015). The translocation of immune cells (i. e., neutrophils and macrophage) from circulation into the skeletal muscle is facilitated by the release of different cytokines. At the early stage of the insult, interleukin (IL) – 8 and IL-15 have been shown to promote neutrophil and macrophage infiltration (Musso et al., 1999; Uguccioni et al., 1999; Verri et al., 2007). The activated macrophages then release pro- inflammatory IL-1β and IL-6 (Arango Duque and Descoteaux, 2014), which are critical to the initial stage of the muscle recovery. Afterwards, IL-6 stimulates the anti- inflammatory IL-10 release that promotes the shift from the pro- to anti- inflammatory state (Deng et al., 2012). Besides serving as a signalling molecule for immune cells, some of these cytokines also mediate muscular physiological response (IL-15) and metabolic processes (IL-6) (Nielsen & Pedersen, 2007). The circulating cytokine response (e. g., IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15) to acute resistance exercise has not been fully elucidated, and some findings are conflicting. For example, TS protocols of moderate- high intensity resistance exercise with untrained and active young men and women resulted in no difference in circulating IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, and TNF-α concentrations immediate post- exercise and 1– 4 days post exercise (Buford et al., 2009; Hirose et al., 2004; Nielsen & Pedersen, 2007; Peake et al., 2006; Uchida et al., 2009). Interestingly, others have reported that resistance exercise intensity (50% to 110% of 1- repetition maximum [1- RM]) with the same total volume did not affect circulating IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 concentrations when compared to baseline and between intensities (Uchida et al., 2009). In conjunction, others have demonstrated that high total volume stimulated a greater IL-6 increase than low total volume resistance exercise in active young men (Phillips et al., 2010). Collectively, these TS studies suggest that total volume, but not exercise intensity, can result in a substantial cytokine response.