Journal of Cellular Immunology

Review Article Open Access

Advances of Immune Cells in the Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Junyue Fang, Li Lin, Xiaoyun Xiao, Jingwei Tian, Meng Zhang, Phei Er Saw

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease reflecting an imbalance between regulatory and effector immune responses. With the rapid development of molecular biology and multi-omics, the pathogenesis of SLE has been gradually elucidated. In particular, imbalances and abnormalities in immune cell function have been shown to play an important role in the development of SLE. Understanding the specific pathogenesis of SLE is the basis for targeted therapy against specific targets. 

Research Article Open Access

The Natural History of Post-Chikungunya Viral Arthritis Disease Activity and T-cell Immunology: A Cohort Study

Aileen Yu-hen Chang, Alfonso Sucerquia Hernández, Jose Forero-Mejía, Sarah Renee Tritsch, Evelyn Mendoza-Torres, Liliana Encinales, Andres Cadena Bonfanti, Abigale Marie Proctor, Gary Leonard Simon, Samuel Joseph Simmens, Gary Steven Firestein

Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus spread by mosquitos that causes arthralgias and arthritis that may last for years. The objective of this study was to describe the arthritis progression and T cell immunology over a two-year period. Methods: A cohort of 40 cases of serologically confirmed CHIKV from Magdalena and Atlántico, Colombia were followed in 2019 and again in 2021. Arthritis disease severity, disability, pain, stiffness, physical function, mobility, fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbances and depression were assessed. 

Review Article Open Access

Essentials of CAR-T Therapy and Associated Microbial Challenges in Long Run Immunotherapy

Muhammad Kalim, Rui Jing, Xin Li, Zhiwu Jiang, Ningbo Zheng, Ziyu Wang, Guo Wei, Yong Lu

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has shown potential in improving outcomes for individuals with hematological malignancies. However, achieving long-term full remission for blood cancer remains challenging due to severe life-threatening toxicities such as limited anti-tumor efficacy, antigen escape, trafficking restrictions, and limited tumor invasion. Furthermore, the interactions between CAR-T cells and their host tumor microenvironments have a significant impact on CAR-T function.

Commentary Open Access

Intracellular Hyaluronan Synthesis Impairs Hematopoiesis in Diabetes that can be Prevented by Heparin

Andrew Jun Wang, Vincent Charles Hascall

Hyperglycemia in diabetes induces impairment of hematopoiesis, an important consequence in bone marrow (BM) that contributes to chronic complications in advanced diabetes. The alterations to blood cells associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) pathologies have been carefully and extensively documented, but the underlying mechanism(s) is still unclear. Our recent publication indicates that aberrant intracellular synthesis of hyaluronan (HA) by hyperglycemic dividing BM progenitors is the central mechanism involved.

Research Article Open Access

Establishment of an Indirect Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of the NS4 Protein of Bluetongue Virus

Ji Ma, Xianping Ma, Rang Wang, Fang Li, Tingjun Hu, Huashan Yi

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) was established to detect the serological prevalence of bluetongue virus (BTV) infection in ruminant populations. A recombinant NS4 (rNS4) protein was used as the encapsulated antigen. Optimization of the iELISA included the encapsulated antigen, serum dilution, blocking solution, and working concentration of a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled secondary antibody (Ab) by the square-matrix titration test.

Research Article Open Access

Sialyllactose Prevents Cartilage Damages via M0 Macrophage Maintenance in Yucatan Mini-Pig Osteoarthritis Model

Kyung-Tai Kim, Young-Kyu Kim, Mi-Jin Yang, Min-Young Kim, Lila Kim, Jeong Ho Hwang

Sialyllactose, known to be abundant in human breast milk, has anti-inflammatory properties, but its preventive effect on osteoarthritis remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated the efficacy of 3’ sialyllactose (3’ SL) and 6’ sialyllactose (6’ SL) in preventing osteoarthritis in Yucatan mini-pigs. Twelve female Yucatan mini-pigs were administered 0, 200, 400 mg 3’ SL or a combination of 200 mg 3’ SL + 200 mg 6’ SL for 12 weeks (4weeks before and 8 weeks after surgery); then, osteoarthritis was induced in the left knee by anterior cruciate ligament transection surgery. Kinematic variables were used to quantify gait analysis on the treadmill, and the degree of osteoarthritis was analyzed in the femur and tibia cartilage

Short Communication Open Access

Microbial Resistance to Photodynamic Therapy

Alison M Mackay

Microbial resistance to antibiotics has become a major area of research given that it caused 1.27 million human deaths in 2019. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounted for half these deaths, and lower respiratory infection is the most burdensome syndrome. 

Research Article Open Access

Human Gray and White Matter Metabolomics to Differentiate APOE and Stage Dependent Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease

Tyler C. Hammond, Xin Xing, Lucy M. Yanckello, Arnold Stromberg, Ya-Hsuan Chang, Peter T. Nelson, Ai-Ling Lin

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a leading cause of death and morbidity in the United States [1]. The hallmarks of AD are β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau. However, studies have indicated that metabolic dysfunction may play a more pivotal role in the progression of AD [2]. Glucose hypometabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction are well-known features of AD [2].

Review Article Open Access

A Review of the Possibility of Nafamostat Mesylate in COVID-19 Treatment

Ji-Young Rhee

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which started in Wuhan in December 2019, is a pandemic caused by the newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (genus Betacoronavirus, family Coronaviridae).

Review Article Open Access

Updates of Recent Vinpocetine Research in Treating Cardiovascular Diseases

Chongyang Zhang, Chen Yan

Vinpocetine was originally discovered and marketed under the trade name Cavinton around 1978. Vinpocetine is a synthetic derivative of the vincamine molecule which is an alkaloid extracted from the periwinkle plant, Vinca minor [1]. It has been clinically used in many Asian and Europe countries for preventing and treating neurological

Short Communication Open Access

M₁ and M₂ Macrophages Polarization via mTORC₁ Influences Innate Immunity and Outcome of Ehrlichia Infection

Ibrahim Ahmed, Nahed Ismail

Macrophages are innate immune cells that play a key role in regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses against infections with several pathogens as they respond to pathogens and tissue injury, serve as antigen presenting cells priming the adaptive immune response, drive inflammation and host defense as well as repairing

Commentary Open Access

Tenofovir at the Crossroad of the Therapy and Prophylaxis of HIV and HBV Infections

Erik De Clercq

Tenofovir, alias (R)-PMPA, was first divulged as an anti- HIV agent in 1993 [1]. That it would in 2012, become the first antiretroviral agent, approved by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to prevent HIV infection, could have been predicted from the findings of Tsai et al.

Review Article Open Access

Is Platelet Desialylation a Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Immune Thrombocytopenia?

June Li, Jade A. Sullivan, Heyu Ni

Platelets are small anuclear cells shed from the megakaryocyte, at a rate of ~10¹¹/day [1], maintaining a blood concentration of 100-450 x 10⁹/L in healthy adults. As the second most abundant circulating cells, they are becoming increasingly recognized for their versatility and cross-talks in cancer, development, immunology among others.