Original Article
Hatice Firatoglu; Caner Aytekin; Figen Dogu; Sevgi Kostel Bal; Sule Haskologlu; Kaan Boztug; Aydan Ikinciogullari
Abstract
Background: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is the most severe form of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) and typically leads to death within the first year of life. Combined immunodeficiencies (CID) are immune disorders that are less severe than SCID and are characterized by qualitative or quantitative ...
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Background: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is the most severe form of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) and typically leads to death within the first year of life. Combined immunodeficiencies (CID) are immune disorders that are less severe than SCID and are characterized by qualitative or quantitative defects in T and B cells.Objectives: To explore the clinical, laboratory, and genetic diagnostic approaches for patients diagnosed with SCID and CID.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, we evaluated 54 patients diagnosed with SCID and CID between 2006 and 2019.Results: The male to female ratio was 30:24 and the rate of consanguinity was 77.8%. Among the patients, 23 were diagnosed with SCID and 31 diagnosed with CID. The most common phenotype in the SCID group was T-B-NK+ while in the CID group it was MHC class II deficiency. The median age at symptom onset for SCID and CID were 1 month and 5 months, respectively, while the median age at diagnosis was 4 months for SCID and 11 months for CID. The age at diagnosis of SCID and the age at diagnosis of symptoms were earlier than CID (p<0.05). Lymphopenia was present in 90.9% of patients with SCID and 51.6% of patients with CID (p<0.05). HSCT was performed in 10 out of 23 (43.4%) SCID patients and 10 out of 31 (32.2%) CID patients (total of 20 out of 54, 37%). The survival rates of SCID and CID patients who underwent HSCT were 80% and 70%, respectively.Conclusions: Consanguineous marriage, sibling death and family members with similar characteristics should be investigated for early diagnosis. Further investigations should be performed in the presence of lymphopenia. With the increasing number of genetic diagnosis facilities and HSCT centers, the survival rate of patients is expected to rise.
Original Article
Zhenying Geng; Guoqing Zhang
Abstract
Background: Circular RNAs are involved in the tumorigenesis of various tumors, including Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Objective: To investigate the expression of circ_0001006 in patients with NSCLC and its role in tumorigenesis and immune escape.Methods: A total of 115 patients with NSCLC were ...
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Background: Circular RNAs are involved in the tumorigenesis of various tumors, including Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Objective: To investigate the expression of circ_0001006 in patients with NSCLC and its role in tumorigenesis and immune escape.Methods: A total of 115 patients with NSCLC were enrolled in the study. The expression of circ_0001006 and PD-L1 mRNA were detected using RT-qPCR. Cell proliferation activity, cell migration and invasion abilities were measured using the CCK-8 assay and Transwell chambers assay. Coculture of NSCLC cells with CD8 cytotoxic T cells was conducted to measure the levels of INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, and lactate dehydrogenase release in culture supernatants. Bioinformatic analysis was used to predict the target relevance among circ_0001006, miR-320a, and PD-L1.Results: The circ_0001006 and PD-L1 mRNA levels were elevated in NSCLC tissues and cells. Patients with high levels of circ_0001006 had a shorter overall survival rate. Inhibiting circ_0001006 reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells, while increasing PD-L1 partially counteracting the inhibitory effects of si-circ_0001006. The co-culture system of NSCLC and CD8+ T cell was found to reduce the viability of activated CD8+ T cell when circ_0001006 is present. Knocking down circ_0001006 in co-culture cells led to an increase in the expression of INF-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2. The ability of si-circ_0001006 to enhance the activation of CD8+ T cells was diminished when PD-L1 was overexpressed.Conclusion: circ_0001006 may serve as a potential prognostic predictor and therapeutic target for NSCLC. Additionally, it offers insight into a novel regulatory mechanism of circ_0001006.
Review Article
Chunhong Zhu; Xiaoying Ni; Jiangming Xu; Hao Wang; Hongqiang Shen
Abstract
The balance between follicular helper T cells (Tfh) and follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) is crucial for maintaining immune tolerance. Tfh cells are key in producing autoantibodies by providing essential help to germinal center (GC) B cells, while Tfr cells prevent autoimmune inflammatory processes ...
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The balance between follicular helper T cells (Tfh) and follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) is crucial for maintaining immune tolerance. Tfh cells are key in producing autoantibodies by providing essential help to germinal center (GC) B cells, while Tfr cells prevent autoimmune inflammatory processes by controling Tfh responses. However, the signals that regulate Tfh and Tfr cells are largely unknown. Due to dysregulated Tfr/Tfh balance and autoantibody production, regulatory B cells (Bregs) have emerged as a key checkpoint in the GC response. Bregs are B cells with immunosuppressive capabilities. Significant advancements have been made in understanding the roles of Bregs, particularly their capacity to produce cytokines with anti-inflammatory properties and regulate Th17, Th1, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the context of autoimmune conditions. Bregs also play a pivotal role in shaping the development, regulation, and localization of Tfh and Tfr cells within the immune environment. Consequently, gaining mechanistic knowledge about the interactions between Tfh-Bregs and Tfr-Bregs has the potential to establish homeostasis and suppress the development of autoantibodies in a various disorders. Within the context of autoimmune disorders, this article provides a concise summary of the dysregulation of Tfh/Tfr, highlighting the critical role of Bregs in regulating this balance. The previously unrecognized interplay between Bregs and Tfh/Tfr cells will serve as an essential basis for the comprehension and management of autoimmune illnesses. It also promises to offer invaluable knowledge of the biological mechanisms of autoantibody synthesis.
Original Article
Jigang Dong; Ying Qi; Sha Sha
Abstract
Background: Radiotherapy destroys tumor cells primarily through direct DNA damage by high-energy particles or indirect DNA damage by free radicals. High-dose radiotherapy (HDR) destroys tumor cells while also damaging normal cells and may potentially cause immunosuppression. The effect of low-dose radiotherapy ...
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Background: Radiotherapy destroys tumor cells primarily through direct DNA damage by high-energy particles or indirect DNA damage by free radicals. High-dose radiotherapy (HDR) destroys tumor cells while also damaging normal cells and may potentially cause immunosuppression. The effect of low-dose radiotherapy (LDR) on the tumor microenvironment (TME) may differ from those of HDR.Objectives: To determine if combining low-dose radiotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors results in synergistic effects.Methods: We established a mouse model for lung cancer and categorized mice into 4 cohorts: NC (negative control) cohort, LDR cohort, anti-CTLA-4 cohort, and LDR+anti-CTLA-4 cohort. Changes in tumor volume were observed in each group, with particular attention given to the variations in immune cells and cytokines within the mouse tumors following LDR.Results: The mice in the LDR+anti-CTLA-4 group exhibited the slowest growth in tumor volume, and low-dose radiotherapy tended to inhibit tumor growth. The proportion of infiltrating CD8+T cells increased and the proportion of infiltrating Treg cells decreased in the tumor after LDR. The levels of interferon (IFN) and the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 were increased after low-dose radiotherapy.Conclusion: LDR has the ability to alter the immune microenvironment of tumors by promoting the production of IFN. Additionally, when combined with anti-CTLA-4, whole-body LDR can effectively suppress tumor growth in mice. The finding is of potential clinical significance and deserves further exploration.
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