Beyond autophagy: New roles for ULK1 in immune signaling and interferon responses
ULK1 (Unc-51-like kinase 1) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase mainly known for its regulatory role in autophagy in response to nutrient deprivation [1,2]. However, recent findings have revealed a prospective role for ULK1 in regulation of innate immunity of interferons (IFNs) [3,4]. This opens a new field of investigation that could have important implications for the advancement of the IFN research field and change our overall understanding of the mechanisms behind IFN-mediated immune responses. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 31, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Diana Saleiro, Ewa M. Kosciuczuk, Leonidas C. Platanias Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
T helper 2 and T follicular helper cells: Regulation and function of interleukin-4
Type 2 immune responses are typically characterized by the differentiation of CD4+ T helper (Th)2 cells and the production of classical type 2 signature cytokines including IL-4, IL-5, IL-9 and IL-13 [1]. The major effector responses in type 2 immunity include B cell mediated humoral responses such as IgG1 and IgE antibody class switching and recruitment of inflammatory effector cells such as eosinophils, basophils and mast cells [2,3]. Type 2 immunity is beneficial in mediating anti-parasitic immunity, wound-repair, suppressing autoimmune-type disease and maintaining tissue homeostasis [2,4]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 30, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Anupama Sahoo, Shradha Wali, Roza Nurieva Source Type: research
The IL-17A/IL-17RA axis in pulmonary defence and immunopathology
The cytokine IL-17A was first identified in 1993, and was initially called cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 8 (CTLA-8) [1]. Today, the IL-17 cytokine family represents a wide class of pleiotropic inflammatory molecules that are structurally related. In the last two decades, researchers have particularly focused on the biological functions and regulation of IL-17A and IL-17F, although the functions of other IL-17 family members have recently become active areas of study. With respect to immunity, IL-17 cytokines modulate the outcomes of pathologic processes. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 22, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Nicola Ivan Lor è, Alessandra Bragonzi, Cristina Cigana Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Chemokine regulation of neutrophil function in tumors
Neutrophils, also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), are the most abundant leukocytes population in circulation and they are essential effectors of the inflammatory response and defense against pathogens. Even if neutrophils are mostly considered for their anti-microbial function, more recently it has been described their involvement in several additional functions, both in physiological and pathological conditions, being able to regulate and activate the innate and adaptive immune responses [1]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 22, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Ornella Bonavita, Matteo Massara, Raffaella Bonecchi Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
The IL-17A/IL-17RA axis in pulmonary defence and immunopathology
The cytokine IL-17A was first identified in 1993, and was initially called cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 8 (CTLA-8) [1]. Today, the IL-17 cytokine family represents a wide class of pleiotropic inflammatory molecules that are structurally related. In the last two decades, researchers have particularly focused on the biological functions and regulation of IL-17A and IL-17F, although the functions of other IL-17 family members have recently become active areas of study. With respect to immunity, IL-17 cytokines modulate the outcomes of pathologic processes. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 22, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Nicola Ivan Lorè, Alessandra Bragonzi, Cristina Cigana Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Chemokine regulation of neutrophil function in tumors
Neutrophils, also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), are the most abundant leukocytes population in circulation and they are essential effectors of the inflammatory response and defense against pathogens. Even if neutrophils are mostly considered for their anti-microbial function, more recently it has been described their involvement in several additional functions, both in physiological and pathological conditions, being able to regulate and activate the innate and adaptive immune responses [1]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 22, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Ornella Bonavita, Matteo Massara, Raffaella Bonecchi Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
IFN- β differentially regulates the function of T cell subsets in MS and EAE
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), considered to be developed as a result of the breakdown of peripheral immune tolerance, thus leading to autoimmune attacks on CNS elements and eventually to neurodegeneration. The developing MS pathology includes visual disturbance, cognitive impairment and paralysis [1]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 21, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Nadia Kavrochorianou, Melina Markogiannaki, Sylva Haralambous Source Type: research
IFN-β differentially regulates the function of T cell subsets in MS and EAE
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), considered to be developed as a result of the breakdown of peripheral immune tolerance, thus leading to autoimmune attacks on CNS elements and eventually to neurodegeneration. The developing MS pathology includes visual disturbance, cognitive impairment and paralysis [1]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 21, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Nadia Kavrochorianou, Melina Markogiannaki, Sylva Haralambous Source Type: research
HES1 in immunity and cancer
The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins are comprised of several proteins that function as transcription factors and play a regulatory role in several biochemical and physiological processes- differentiation, proliferation/cell-cycle arrest and survival/apoptosis. It was studies on neuronal cells that led to the cloning of two Hairy and Enhancer of Split (HES) proteins in 1992 [1]. There are presently seven Hes proteins (HES1-7) and they all exhibit homology at the amino-acid level of the bHLH domain [1–7]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 19, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Aradhana Rani, Roseanna Greenlaw, Richard A Smith, Christine Galustian Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Inflammatory microenvironment and human papillomavirus-induced carcinogenesis
The seminal observations linking inflammation and cancers dated back to mid nineteenth century when Virchow noticed that tumors tended to occur at sites of chronic inflammation. The hypothesis of a connection between inflammation and cancer was subsequently challenged by data demonstrating that acute inflammation contributed to cancer regression, even if epidemiologic studies supported that chronic inflammatory diseases are frequently associated with increased risk of cancers [1]. Nowadays, it has been realized that the development of cancers from inflammation might be a process driven by inflammatory cells as well as a va...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 19, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Giorgio Mangino, Maria Vincenza Chiantore, Marco Iuliano, Gianna Fiorucci, Giovanna Romeo Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
HES1 in immunity and cancer
The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins are comprised of several proteins that function as transcription factors and play a regulatory role in several biochemical and physiological processes- differentiation, proliferation/cell-cycle arrest and survival/apoptosis. It was studies on neuronal cells that led to the cloning of two Hairy and Enhancer of Split (HES) proteins in 1992 [1]. There are presently seven Hes proteins (HES1-7) and they all exhibit homology at the amino-acid level of the bHLH domain [1 –7]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 18, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Aradhana Rani, Roseanna Greenlaw, Richard A Smith, Christine Galustian Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
Inflammatory microenvironment and human papillomavirus-induced carcinogenesis
The seminal observations linking inflammation and cancers dated back to mid nineteenth century when Virchow noticed that tumors tended to occur at sites of chronic inflammation. The hypothesis of a connection between inflammation and cancer was subsequently challenged by data demonstrating that acute inflammation contributed to cancer regression, even if epidemiologic studies supported that chronic inflammatory diseases are frequently associated with increased risk of cancers [1]. Nowadays, it has been realized that the development of cancers from inflammation might be a process driven by inflammatory cells as well as a va...
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 18, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Giorgio Mangino, Maria Vincenza Chiantore, Marco Iuliano, Gianna Fiorucci, Giovanna Romeo Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
The unique role of STAT2 in constitutive and IFN-induced transcription and antiviral responses
Interferons (IFNs) are a subset of cytokines that have profound effects on many aspects of cell physiology. IFNs regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation but also take part in the first line of defense against viral infections. IFNs represent a family of molecules which can be divided into three main subfamilies: Type I, Type II and Type III. Type I (IFN-I) consist of IFNβ, IFNκ, IFNω, IFNε and 13 subtypes of IFNα, type II (IFN-II) consists of the single IFNγ while type III (IFN-III) comprises IFNλ1, IFNλ2, IFNλ3 [1,2] and recently discovered IFNλ4 [3]. (Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews)
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - March 17, 2016 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Katarzyna Blaszczyk, Hanna Nowicka, Kaja Kostyrko, Aleksandra Antonczyk, Joanna Wesoly, Hans A.R. Bluyssen Tags: Mini review Source Type: research
