Innate immunity in hepatitis B and D virus infection: consequences for viral persistence, inflammation, and T cell recognition
AbstractChronic infections with human hepatitis viruses continue to be a major health burden worldwide. Despite the availability of an effective prophylactic vaccine against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and of antiviral agents efficiently suppressing HBV replication, more than 250 million people are currently chronically infected with this hepatotropic DNA virus, and resolution of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is rarely achieved. Moreover, coinfection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV), a human RNA satellite virus requiring the envelope proteins of HBV for productive viral spreading, substantially aggravates the disease course of...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - August 1, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
Mediators of liver inflammation and carcinogenesis
(Source: Seminars in Immunopathology)
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - August 1, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
Management of cell death in parasitic infections
AbstractFor a long time, host cell death during parasitic infection has been considered a reflection of tissue damage, and often associated with disease pathogenesis. However, during their evolution, protozoan and helminth parasites have developed strategies to interfere with cell death so as to spread and survive in the infected host, thereby ascribing a more intriguing role to infection-associated cell death. In this review, we examine the mechanisms used by intracellular and extracellular parasites to respectively inhibit or trigger programmed cell death. We further dissect the role of the prototypical “eat-me signalâ...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - July 19, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
Role of bile acids in inflammatory liver diseases
AbstractBile acids and their signaling pathways are increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic targets for cholestatic and metabolic liver diseases. This review summarizes new insights in bile acid physiology, focusing on regulatory roles of bile acids in the control of immune regulation and on effects of pharmacological modulators of bile acid signaling pathways in human liver disease. Recent mouse studies have highlighted the importance of the interactions between bile acids and gut microbiome. Interfering with microbiome composition may be beneficial for cholestatic and metabolic liver diseases by modulating forma...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - July 8, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
Are there animal models of IgA nephropathy?
AbstractImmunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. Up to 40% of IgAN patients develop end-stage kidney disease after 15 –20 years. Despite the poor prognosis associated with this multifactorial disease, no clear treatment strategy has been identified, primarily due to the lack of understanding of its pathogenesis. Clinical observations indicate that aberrant IgAN immune systems, rather than intrinsic renal abnormal ities, may be involved in its pathogenesis. Moreover, nephritogenic IgA and its related immune complexes are considered to be produced not only in the mu...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - July 7, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
The role of natural killer cells in liver inflammation
AbstractThe liver is an important immunological site that can promote immune tolerance or activation. Natural killer (NK) cells are a major immune subset within the liver, and therefore understanding their role in liver homeostasis and inflammation is crucial. Due to their cytotoxic function, NK cells are important in the immune response against hepatotropic viral infections but are also involved in the inflammatory processes of autoimmune liver diseases and fatty liver disease. Whether NK cells primarily promote pro-inflammatory or tolerogenic responses is not known for many liver diseases. Understanding the involvement o...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - July 7, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
Are there animal models of IgA nephropathy?
AbstractImmunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. Up to 40% of IgAN patients develop end-stage kidney disease after 15 –20 years. Despite the poor prognosis associated with this multifactorial disease, no clear treatment strategy has been identified, primarily due to the lack of understanding of its pathogenesis. Clinical observations indicate that aberrant IgAN immune systems, rather than intrinsic renal abnormal ities, may be involved in its pathogenesis. Moreover, nephritogenic IgA and its related immune complexes are considered to be produced not only in the mu...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - July 7, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
The role of natural killer cells in liver inflammation
AbstractThe liver is an important immunological site that can promote immune tolerance or activation. Natural killer (NK) cells are a major immune subset within the liver, and therefore understanding their role in liver homeostasis and inflammation is crucial. Due to their cytotoxic function, NK cells are important in the immune response against hepatotropic viral infections but are also involved in the inflammatory processes of autoimmune liver diseases and fatty liver disease. Whether NK cells primarily promote pro-inflammatory or tolerogenic responses is not known for many liver diseases. Understanding the involvement o...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - July 7, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
Halting targeted and collateral damage to red blood cells by the complement system
AbstractThe complement system is an important defense mechanism against pathogens; however, in certain pathologies, the system also attacks human cells, such as red blood cells (RBCs). In paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), RBCs lack certain complement regulators which sensitize them to complement-mediated lysis, while in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), antibodies against RBCs may initiate complement-mediated hemolysis. In recent years, complement inhibition has improved treatment prospects for these patients, with eculizumab now the standard of care for PNH patients. Current complement inhibitors are however no...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - June 30, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
Complement as driver of systemic inflammation and organ failure in trauma, burn, and sepsis
AbstractComplement is one of the most ancient defense systems. It gets strongly activated immediately after acute injuries like trauma, burn, or sepsis and helps to initiate regeneration. However, uncontrolled complement activation contributes to disease progression instead of supporting healing. Such effects are perceptible not only at the site of injury but also systemically, leading to systemic activation of other intravascular cascade systems eventually causing dysfunction of several vital organs. Understanding the complement pathomechanism and its interplay with other systems is a strict requirement for exploring nove...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - June 30, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
Halting targeted and collateral damage to red blood cells by the complement system
AbstractThe complement system is an important defense mechanism against pathogens; however, in certain pathologies, the system also attacks human cells, such as red blood cells (RBCs). In paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), RBCs lack certain complement regulators which sensitize them to complement-mediated lysis, while in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), antibodies against RBCs may initiate complement-mediated hemolysis. In recent years, complement inhibition has improved treatment prospects for these patients, with eculizumab now the standard of care for PNH patients. Current complement inhibitors are however no...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - June 30, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
Complement as driver of systemic inflammation and organ failure in trauma, burn, and sepsis
AbstractComplement is one of the most ancient defense systems. It gets strongly activated immediately after acute injuries like trauma, burn, or sepsis and helps to initiate regeneration. However, uncontrolled complement activation contributes to disease progression instead of supporting healing. Such effects are perceptible not only at the site of injury but also systemically, leading to systemic activation of other intravascular cascade systems eventually causing dysfunction of several vital organs. Understanding the complement pathomechanism and its interplay with other systems is a strict requirement for exploring nove...
Source: Seminars in Immunopathology - June 30, 2021 Category: Pathology Source Type: research
