Aryl hydrocarbon receptor:Linking environment to aging process in elderly patients with asthma

Aging is a significant risk factor for various diseases,including asthma,and it often leads to poorer clinical outcomes,particularly in elderly individuals.It is recognized that age-related diseases are due to a time-dependent accumulation of cellular damage,resulting in a progressive decline in cellular and physiological functions and an increased susceptibility to chronic diseases.The effects of aging affect not only the elderly but also those of younger ages,posing significant challenges to global healthcare.Thus,understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with aging in different diseases is essential.One intriguing factor is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR),which serves as a cytoplasmic receptor and ligand-activated transcription factor and has been linked to the aging process.Here,we review the literature on several major hallmarks of aging,including mitochondrial dysfunction,cellular senescence,autophagy,mitophagy,epigenetic alterations,and microbiome disturbances.Moreover,we provide an overview of the impact of AhR on these hallmarks by mediating responses to environmental exposures,particularly in relation to the immune system.Furthermore,we explore how aging hallmarks affect clinical characteristics,inflammatory features,exacerbations,and the treatment of asthma.It is suggested that AhR signaling may potentially play a role in regulating asthma phenotypes in elderly populations as part of the aging process.

Coagulation disorders in patients with abnormal serum cortisol level

To the Editor:Cortisol is closely related to hemostasis.[1]In patients with hyperadrenalism,that is,Cushing syndrome(CS),a reduction in the activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),an increased level of coagulation factors,and an increased risk of thrombosis have been repeatedly reported.[1,2]However,no studies reported the hemostatic status of patients with hypoadrenalism which is commonly seen in patients with pituitary diseases.

Peptide vaccine against glioblastoma:from bench to bedside

Glioblastoma accounts for almost half of all intracranial primary malignancies and has the worst prognosis.Because of its high malignancy and frequent recurrence after standard therapy,it is of great signifcance to explore new therapy options.Recently immune therapy has taken remarkable progress in a variety of tumors,among which peptide vaccines utilize peptide sequences based on tumor-specifc antigens or tumor-associated antigen targets to activate selfimmune response against tumor cells.However,due to the particularity of intracranial central nervous system tumors,the application of peptide vaccines in glioblastoma still faces challenges.This article mainly reviews the immune basis and important clinical trial results of peptide vaccine therapy for GBM,analyzes the reasons for its poor efcacy,and proposes the development direction of peptide vaccines for the unique challenges of immunotherapy in GBM.An in-depth understanding and elaboration of the application and related issues of peptide vaccine in the treatment of GBM will help to formulate relevant treatment strategies in future clinical and basic research.