Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) protein plays a pivotal role in various biological processes especially the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Phosphorylation represents a key step in the activation of STAT1 and its transcriptional outcome. Binding of various extracellular ligands to their specific cell-surface receptors activates different phosphorylation of STAT1 followed by a distinct change of gene expression patterns.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding cells in solid tissue provides mechanical support and communicates with cells through cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) at the cell surface. Integrin is a major group of CAMs represented by a family of αβ heterodimeric single transmembrane receptors. 

Perinatal brain injury is an important clinical and socioeconomic entity. It is a syndrome of impaired brain function in the early days of life, and it is a consequence of inadequate brain oxygenation before, during or shortly after birth, with high mortality rates and early and late morbidity rates.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, female-dominated pulmonary cystic disease. Cysts that develop in LAM are characterized by the presence of smooth muscle-like (LAMCore) cells in the periphery. These cells harbor mutations in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 or 2 (TSC1/2), driving uncontrolled proliferation through the mTORC1 pathway. LAMCore cells originate from an extrapulmonary source. Published data supports the uterine origin of LAMCore cells that metastasize from the uterus to precipitate pulmonary function destruction. Immune evasion is hypothesized to occur to allow seeding of the lungs from the uterus. This evasion specifically involves dysfunctional NK cells to allow aberrant proliferation and migration from the tissue.

Influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses affect millions annually. While age is generally known to be correlated with risk and outcome, the mechanisms underlying thesedifferences, especially in the infected, have been poorly defined. Previous studies have focused primarily on cell-subset shifts in older adults, leaving a gap in understanding of how cytokine responses vary across the full age spectrum.