An overview of the molecular mechanisms and novel roles of Nrf2 in neurodegenerative disorders
Recently, growing evidence has demonstrated that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a pivotal regulator of endogenous defense systems that function via the activation of a set of protective genes, and this is particularly clear in the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, it is highly useful to summarize the current literature on the molecular mechanisms and role of Nrf2 in the CNS. In this review, we first briefly introduce the molecular features of Nrf2. We then discuss the regulation, cerebral actions, upstream modulators and downstream targets of Nrf2 pathway. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - September 14, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Yang Yang, Shuai Jiang, Juanjuan Yan, Yue Li, Zhenlong Xin, Yan Lin, Yan Qu Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Unmasking immune sensing of retroviruses: Interplay between innate sensors and host effectors
The past twenty years has witnessed a revolution in the understanding of innate immune response and the early events of host–pathogen interactions that dictate the ensuing cellular adaptive immune response to microbial pathogens [1]. The initial interactions of the immune response to pathogenic insult begins with the interaction between the microbial pattern-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) and different classes of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) that encompass a dizzying collection of innate receptors. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - September 3, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Nadine van Montfoort, David Olagnier, John Hiscott Tags: Survey Source Type: research
Message in a bottle: lessons learned from antagonism of STING signalling during RNA virus infection
STING has emerged in recent years as an important signalling adaptor in the activation of type I interferon responses during infection with DNA viruses and bacteria. An increasing body of evidence suggests that STING also modulates responses to RNA viruses, though the mechanisms remain less clear. In this review, we give a brief overview of the ways in which STING facilitates sensing of RNA viruses. These include modulation of RIG-I-dependent responses through STING's interaction with MAVS, and more speculative mechanisms involving the DNA sensor cGAS and sensing of membrane remodelling events. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 23, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Kevin Maringer, Ana Fernandez-Sesma Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Activation and regulation of pathogen sensor RIG-I
Cells are equipped with a large set of pattern recognition receptors or sensors that detect foreign molecules such as pathogenic nucleic acids and initiate proinflammatory and antimicrobial innate immune responses. RIG-I is a cytosolic sensor that detects 5′-triphosphate double-stranded RNAs produced during infection. RIG-I is responsible for mounting an antimicrobial response against a variety of viruses and intracellular bacteria. RIG-I contains an intricate structural architecture that allows for efficient signaling downstream in the pathway and autoregulation. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 22, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Jenish R. Patel, Adolfo García-Sastre Tags: Survey Source Type: research
Autoimmunity caused by constitutive activation of cytoplasmic viral RNA sensors
RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) are well-known viral sensors that trigger the antiviral interferon (IFN) response by recognizing the non-self signatures of viral RNAs. The proper induction of the IFN response is known to play a crucial role in protecting against viral infections, whereas aberrant activation can lead to autoimmune disorders. We herein provided an overview of the antiviral IFN response and autoimmunity, with a focus on recent studies describing autoimmunity caused by mutations in the cytoplasmic viral RNA sensor, melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5). (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 18, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Hiroki Kato, Takashi Fujita Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Role of DNA/RNA sensors and contribution to autoimmunity
Innate immune detection and subsequent immune responses rely on the initial recognition of pathogen specific molecular motifs. Foreign nucleic acids are key structures recognised by the immune system, recognition of which occurs mainly through the use of nucleic acid receptors including members of the Toll-like receptors, AIM2-like receptors, RIG-I-like receptors and intracellular DNA receptors. While the immune system is critically important in protecting the host from infection, it is of utmost importance that it is tightly regulated, in order to prevent recognition of self-nucleic acids and the subsequent development of...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 14, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Siobhán Smith, Caroline Jefferies Tags: Survey Source Type: research
Death waits for no man – Does it wait for a virus? How enteroviruses induce and control cell death
Viruses are ubiquitous infectious agents that are astoundingly diverse in their size, shape, and tropism. Despite this diversity, all viruses must accomplish certain tasks in order to replicate and propagate their genetic material. Viruses must enter a living host cell, replicate within that cell, and, finally, exit the cell only to begin the cycle anew. This entire process can occur in a matter of hours in the case of a lytic viral infection or can take decades in the case of latent viral infection. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 14, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Katharine G. Harris, Carolyn B. Coyne Source Type: research
InTRIMsic immunity: Positive and negative regulation of immune signaling by tripartite motif proteins
During the immune response, striking the right balance between positive and negative regulation is critical to effectively mount an anti-microbial defense while preventing detrimental effects from exacerbated immune activation. Intra-cellular immune signaling is tightly regulated by various post-translational modifications, which allow for this dynamic response. One of the post-translational modifiers critical for immune control is ubiquitin, which can be covalently conjugated to lysines in target molecules, thereby altering their functional properties. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 13, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Gijs A. Versteeg, Stefan Benke, Adolfo García-Sastre, Ricardo Rajsbaum Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Inflammasome activation and metabolic disease progression
Innate pattern recognition receptors NLRs are cytosolic sensors that detect endogenous metabolic stress and form a multiprotein complex called the inflammasome, that recruits and activates caspase enzymes mediating the activation of the cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. The innate immune system and metabolic system are evolutionarily conserved, intimately integrated, and functionally dependent. In recent decades, obesity-associated metabolic diseases have been become a worldwide epidemic. Here we review recent evidence that demonstrates the important roles of NLRs and inflammasomes in response to metabolic stress in different ti...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 5, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Hua-Bing Li, Chengcheng Jin, Yuanyuan Chen, Richard A. Flavell Tags: Survey Source Type: research
Cytokines and cytokine receptors as immunotherapeutics: humble beginnings and exciting futures
The biology of cytokines is complex. For example, a cytokines’ action(s) can be autocrine, paracrine or endocrine, acting on specific cells expressing the cytokine receptor (or receptor complex) to trigger signaling pathways and subsequent cytokine-driven outcomes. However, a cytokine's effects in vitro are not always entirely identical to those found in vivo. This is due to their ability to synergize or antagonize, or to differentially regulate the biological effects of other cytokines. Indeed, it was the development of cytokine- and cytokine receptor- specific neutralizing antibodies that permitted several seminal expe...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 4, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Lisa M. Sedger, Nabila Seddiki, Charani Ranasinghe Tags: Introduction Source Type: research
Editorial Board and Publication information
(Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 1, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research
Cytokines as therapeutic targets in skin inflammation
Non-infectious, chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema (up to 20% of the population in certain age groups) and psoriasis (2–4%) are very common. These are chronic, non curable conditions which often show a relapsing course. Inflammatory skin diseases have considerable socioeconomic impact and can significantly impair the patients’ quality of life. Itch, which still lacks effective therapy, is the most disturbing symptom for the patient with eczema and is also a considerable problem for many psoriasis sufferers. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 1, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Miriam Wittmann, Dennis McGonagle, Thomas Werfel Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Cytokines as therapeutic targets in skin inflammation
Non-infectious, chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema (up to 20% of the population in certain age groups) and psoriasis (2-4%) are very common. These are chronic, non curable conditions which often show a relapsing course. Inflammatory skin diseases have considerable socioeconomic impact and can significantly impair the patients’ quality of life. Itch, which still lacks effective therapy, is the most disturbing symptom for the patient with eczema and is also a considerable problem for many psoriasis sufferers. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - August 1, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Miriam Wittmann, Dennis McGonagle, Thomas Werfel Source Type: research
TNF and TNF-receptors: From mediators of cell death and inflammation to therapeutic giants – past, present and future
This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on TNF/TNFR molecules and discusses the reagents currently being used to block TNF in the treatment of human diseases. It surveys the benefits and disadvantages of blocking TNF's broad range of biological activities in vivo and the reasons behind their therapeutic efficacy and limitations. This review will also debate the most recent developments in the use of TNF and anti-TNF agents: the search for ways to pre-identify treatment responders, and the status of the search for the “holy grail” of selective blockade of specific TNFR signaling pathways, not just in vivo ...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - July 31, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Lisa M. Sedger, Michael F. McDermott Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
IL-12-and IL-23 in health and disease
The interleukin 12 (IL-12) cytokine family includes IL-12, IL-23, IL-27 and its most recent member, IL-35. Each cytokine is formed of two subunits, some of which form bioactive cytokines themselves, and others which are shared among family members. Such a characteristic provides these cytokines with a great degree of interaction potential not present in other cytokine families, both in the context of receptor binding and other molecular interactions. This diversity is perhaps responsible for the highly variable biological functions that have been reported in the context of preclinical studies of inflammation. (Source: Cyto...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - July 31, 2014 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Andrew L. Croxford, Paulina Kulig, Burkhard Becher Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
