The Life of a Protein Molecule——Protein Quality Control

The research progress in molecular chaperones, unfolded protein response （UPR） and ER-associated degradation （ERAD） involved in the protein quality control was summarized in this paper, and then the existing problems and the future devel- opment prospect were also discussed. It was pointed out that the life process of protein experienced four stages including synthesizing, folding, assembling and degradation, while each stage required strict quality control. In endoplasmic reticulum （ER）, a variety of proteins had been synthesized, folded and modified to form func- tional proteins with certain conformation. When the folding was blocked in ER, the unfolded proteins would aggregate and induce the UPR, which up-regulated the level of modification enzymes folded by a series of molecular chaperones and proteins to help them accomplish folding and assembling. If these proteins were still folded incorrectly, they would enter into ERAD for being degraded.

Protein quality of four indigenous edible insect species in Nigeria

Food security is a serious concern particularly for developing countries.To overcome hunger and malnutrition there is a need for increased research towards finding alternative and cheaper sources of nutrients.Insects have been reported to be rich in protein and could be alternative sources of protein.This work was therefore designed to determine the protein quality of moth caterpillar,termite,cricket and grasshopper and the effects of diets supplemented with these insects on some biochemical and haematological indices of rats.The amino acid compositions of the insects were determined using standard analytical methods.Five iso-nitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated on a 10%protein basis with the insects and casein.A Nitrogen free diet was also formulated as control.Thirty six(36)young weanling albino rats(21–28 days old)were divided into 6 groups and fed with the diets ad libitum for 28 days.Their weekly weight gain and daily feed intake were recorded,urine and faeces were collected for nitrogen determination using Kjedahl method and the data obtained used to calculate the various protein quality indices.After the feeding trial periods,the rats were sacrificed,blood samples collected and organs excised for various analyses.Cricket was found to have the highest amino acid score(0.91),protein efficiency ratio(1.78),net protein ratio(3.04)biological value(93.02%)and protein digestibility corrected for amino acid score(0.73)as compared to other insect proteins analysed.The organ body weight ratios of the liver,spleen,lung and heart of rats placed on the insect supplemented diets were not significantly different(p>0.05)from those fed with casein and basal diets.Serum total protein concentrations in rats fed with cricket diet were not significantly different(p>0.05)from those fed casein diet while serum LDL cholesterol concentration was lowest in rats fed cricket diet.The finding in this work that the selected insects are nutritious and safe for consumption may alleviate the fear of entomophagy thereby reducing the overdependence on conventional animal proteins.

Effect of the desolventizing/toasting process on chemical composition and protein quality of rapeseed meal

Background： During processing in a desolventizer/toaster（DT）, rapeseed meal（RSM） is heated to evaporate the hexane and to reduce the level of heat-labile anti-nutritional factors such as glucosinolates（GSL）. However, excessive heat treatment may reduce amino acid（AA） content in addition to lower AA digestibility and availability in RSM. The objective of the present study was to produce from one batch of a 00-rapeseed variety（17 μmol GSL/g dry matter（DM）, seed grade quality） five differently processed RSM under standardized and defined conditions in a pilot plant,and to determine the impact of these different treatments on protein solubility and chemical composition, in particular with regard to contents of AA including reactive Lys（rL ys） and levels of total and individual GSL.Methods： Four RSM were exposed to wet toasting conditions（WetT C） with increasing residence time in the DT of 48,64, 76, and 93 min. A blend of these four RSM was further processed, starting with saturated steam processing（〈 100 °C）and followed by exposure to dry toasting conditions（DryT C） to further reduce the GSL content in this RSM.Results： The contents of neutral detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber bound crude protein（CP） increased linearly（P 〈 0.05）, as residence time of RSM in the DT increased from 48 to 93 min, whereas contents of total and most individual GSL and those of Lys, rL ys, Cys, and the calculated ratio of Lys：CP and r Lys：CP decreased linearly（P ≤ 0.05）.The combination of wet heating and DryT C resulted in the lowest GSL content compared to RSM produced under WetT C, but was associated with lowest protein solubility.Conclusions： It can be concluded that by increasing residence time in the DT or using alternative processing conditions such as wet heating combined with DryT C, contents of total and individual GSL in RSM can be substantially reduced.Further in vivo studies are warranted to elucidate if and to which extent the observed differences in protein quality and GSL content between RSM may affect digestibility and bioavailability of AA in monogastric animals.

Effects of the Partial Replacement of Soybean Meal by Insect or Algae Meal in Chicken Diets with Graded Amino Acid Supply on Parameters of Gut Microbiology and Dietary Protein Quality

Insects or algae are considered future solutions to substitute imported feed proteins like soybean meal (SBM) in animal nutrition. The objective of this research, as part of the multidisciplinary project “Sustainability transitions”, focused on replacing 50% SBM by partly defatted larvae meal from black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) or the blue-green algae Spirulina platensis in meat type chicken diets. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects on body composition, protein quality, apparent precaecal digestibility (apcD) and parameters of intestinal microbiota. In total, 288 one-day-old male growing chickens (Ross 308) from a commercial hatchery were randomly allotted to 48 pens (6 birds per pen) across five diets, which were fed at a free choice level. The control diet utilized SBM, wheat and corn as main ingredients, and experimental diets replaced 50% of SBM by the alternative proteins under study. Amino acid (AA) supplementation of the final diets was conducted both at a basic level (diets HM, SM;Lys and Met added equal to the control diet) and an extended level of AA fortification (diets HM+, SM+;extended supplementation of Lys, Met, Thr, Arg). After finishing the growth study, 4 individual birds per diet were slaughtered for whole body analyses to derive nutrient utilization and dietary protein quality parameters. Additionally, pooled chyme samples from 16 birds per diet (control, HM and SM) were analyzed to assess apcD and microbial parameters. Diets HM and SM with a basic level of AA fortification led to significant depressions in nutrient deposition and dietary protein quality. However, HM+ and SM+ diets with an extended level of AA supplementation led to significantly improved responses;however these were still generally not on par with the control diet. The HM+ diet provided superior CP deposition and dietary protein quality, as compared to the SM+ diet, but equal to the control diet. Results of gut microbiology yielded no significant effects due to feeding the alternative protein sources under study.

Swelling Index of Glutenin (SIG) Related to Protein Quality, DoughCharacters and Noodle Quality

The swelling index of glutenin (SIG) and the protein fraction of 25 Chinese wheat varieties were studied with new protein fractions extracting method. The protein fractions compose of monomeric protein, soluble glutenin and insoluble glutenin. The relations between other protein index, dough character, and fresh noodle quality were also discussed. The SIG results at different time is positively and highly significantly related to the insoluble glutenin content (r= 0.808 -0.867, P< 0.01). The SIG result can reflect the insoluble glutenin content. The protein content, gluten index, farinograph stability time, extensibility length and extensigram energy were positively and significantly correlated with SIG5 and SIG20 (r= 0.516 - 0.734, P<0.05, 0.01).SIG proved to be applicable in Chinese wheat dough evaluation. Fresh noodle making quality parameters were evaluated by fresh noodle length, thickness, maximum resistance to extension, extension area and extension distance, while cooked noodle texture was determined by cutting firmness, compression recovery, surface firmness and TPA by using a texture analyzer of TA.XT2i. The noodle cooking quality was significantly correlated with SIG value. The surface firmness and cutting firmness were more desirable for predicating the quality difference than TPA test and compression. Cooking loss and water absorption were negatively related to SIG value and insoluble content (r = -0.556 - - 0.787, P < 0.05, 0.01). The results showed that SIG test was also suitable in evaluating noodle making and cooking quality in very small sample size, which was very important in wheat breeding programs. Therefore, SIG test, as a small scale test, is suitable to evaluate dough rheological properties for Chinese wheat varieties, and will be helpful in cereal research and wheat breeding program, especially, in early generations.

The pathogenic mechanism of TAR DNA-binding protein 43(TDP-43)in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is usually characterized by focal death of both upper and/or lower motor neurons occurring in the motor cortex,basal ganglia,brainstem,and spinal cord,and commonly involves the muscles of the upper and/or lower extremities,and the muscles of the bulbar and/or respiratory regions.However,as the disease progresses,it affects the adjacent body regions,leading to generalized muscle weakness,occasionally along with memory,cognitive,behavioral,and language impairments;respiratory dysfunction occurs at the final stage of the disease.The disease has a complicated pathophysiology and currently,only riluzole,edaravone,and phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol are licensed to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in many industrialized countries.The TAR DNA-binding protein 43 inclusions are observed in 97%of those diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.This review provides a preliminary overview of the potential effects of TAR DNAbinding protein 43 in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,including the abnormalities in nucleoplasmic transport,RNA function,post-translational modification,liquid-liquid phase separation,stress granules,mitochondrial dysfunction,oxidative stress,axonal transport,protein quality control system,and non-cellular autonomous functions(e.g.,glial cell functions and prion-like propagation).

Protein Quality Control in Plant Organelles:Current Progress and Future Perspectives

The endoplasmic reticulum,chloroplasts,and mitochondria are major plant organelles for protein synthesis,photosynthesis,metabolism,and energy production.Protein homeostasis in these organelles,maintained by a balance between protein synthesis and degradation,is essential for cell functions during plant growth,development,and stress resistance.Nucleus-encoded chloroplast-and mitochondrion-targeted proteins and ER-resident proteins are imported from the cytosol and undergo modification and maturation within their respective organelles.Protein folding is an error-prone process that is influenced by both developmental signals and environmental cues;a number of mechanisms have evolved to ensure efficient import and proper folding and maturation of proteins in plant organelles.Misfolded or damaged proteins with nonnative conformations are subject to degradation via complementary or competing pathways:intraorganelle proteases,the organelle-associated ubiquitin-proteasome system,and the selective autophagy of partial or entire organelles.When proteins in nonnative conformations accumulate,the organellespecific unfolded protein response operates to restore protein homeostasis by reducing protein folding demand,increasing protein folding capacity,and enhancing components involved in proteasome-associated protein degradation and autophagy.This review summarizes recent progress on the understanding of protein quality control in the ER,chloroplasts,and mitochondria in plants,with a focus on common mechanisms shared by these organelles during protein homeostasis.

Protein quality control of cell stemness

Protein quality control(PQC)systems play essential roles in the recognition,refolding and clearance of aberrant proteins,thus ensuring cellular protein homeostasis,or proteostasis.Especially,continued proliferation and differentiation of stem cells require a high rate of translation;therefore,accurate PQC systems are essential to maintain stem cell function.Growing evidence suggested crucial roles of PQC systems in regulating the stemness and differentiation of stem cells.This review focuses on current knowledge regarding the components of the proteostasis network in stem cells,and the importance of proteostasis in maintaining stem cell identity and regenerative functions.A complete understanding of this process might uncover potential applications in aging intervention and aging-related diseases.

Effects of different dietary energy and protein levels and sex on growth performance,carcass characteristics and meat quality of F1 Angus x Chinese Xiangxi yellow cattle

Background：The experiment evaluated the effect of nutrition levels and sex on the growth performance,carcass characteristics and meat quality of F1 Angus × Chinese Xiangxi yellow cattle.Methods：During the background period of 184 d,23 steers and 24 heifers were fed the same ration,then put into a2×2×2 factorial arrangement under two levels of- dietary energy（TON：70/80%DM）,protein（CP：11.9/14.3%DM）and sex（S：male/female） during the finishing phase of 146 d.The treatments were-（1） high energy/low protein（HELP）,（2） high energy/high protein（HEHP）,（3） low energy/low protein（LELP） and（4） low energy/high protein（LEHP）.Each treatment used 6 steers and 6 heifers,except for HELP- 5 steers and 6 heifers.Results：Growth rate and final carcass weight were unaffected by dietary energy and protein levels or by sex.Compared with the LE diet group,the HE group had significantly lower dry matter intake（DMI,6.76 vs.7.48 kg DM/d）,greater chest girth increments（46.1 vs.36.8 cm）,higher carcass fat（19.9 vs.16.3%） and intramuscular fat content（29.9 vs.22.8%DM）.The HE group also had improved yields of top and medium top grade commercial meat cuts（39.9 vs.36.5%）.The dressing percentage was higher for the HP group than the LP group（53.4 vs.54.9%）.Steers had a greater length increment（9.0 vs.8.3 cm）,but lower carcass fat content（16.8 vs.19.4%） than heifers.The meat quality traits（shear force value,drip loss,cooking loss and water holding capacity） were not affected by treatments or sex,averaging 3.14 kg,2.5,31.5 and 52.9%,respectively.The nutritive profiles（both fatty and amino acid composition） were not influenced by the energy or protein levels or by sex.Conclusions：The dietary energy and protein levels and sex significantly influenced the carcass characteristics and chemical composition of meat but not thegrowth performance,meat quality traits and nutritive profiles.

Influence of dietary canola oil and palm oil blend and refrigerated storage on fatty acids,myofibrillar proteins,chemical composition,antioxidant profile and quality attributes of semimembranosus muscle in goats

Background： Improving the unsaturated fatty acid content of ruminant meat is essential due to the generally saturated nature of fatty acids in ruminant meat and the negative effects this can have on human health. Nonetheless, enhancing the unsaturated fatty acid content of ruminant meat can have adverse effects on the shelf life and quality attributes of the meat. This study assessed the effects of dietary 80 % canola oil and 20 % palm oil blend（CPOB） on fatty acid composition, antioxidants, oxidative spoilage, cholesterol and physicochemical properties of semimembranosus（SM）muscle from goats. Twenty four Boer bucks were randomly assigned to diets containing on dry matter basis 0, 4 and8 % CPOB, fed for 100 d and slaughtered. The carcasses were subjected to a 7 d postmortem refrigerated storage. Al analyses were conducted on the SM muscle.Results： Diet had no effect（P 〉 0.05） on the concentration of free thiol and carbonyl and the band intensity of myosin heavy chain, actin and troponin T. The muscle glycogen, p H, water holding capacity, tenderness, glutathione peroxidase（GPX） activity, total carotenoid, δ-tocopherol, cholesterol and proximate composition did not differ（P 〉 0.05） between diets. The SM muscle from goats fed 4 and 8 % CPOB had lower（P 〈 0.05） concentration of C14：0 and C16：0 and higher（P 〈 0.05） concentration of C18：1 trans-11, C18：1ω-9, C18：3ω-3, C20：5ω-3 and C22：5ω-3 than the SM muscle from the control goats. Dietary CPOB increased（P 〈 0.05） the concentration of α and γ tocopherol and meat redness（a＊） on d1 and 4 postmortem. Regardless of diet, antioxidant vitamins, and shear force decreased（P 〈 0.05） while drip loss, lipid and protein oxidation increased（P 〈 0.05） as postmortem storage progressed.Conclusion： Results evince that dietary CPOB can be used as a management tool to enhance the beneficial fatty acids and antioxidant contents of chevon without deleterious effects on its physicochemical properties and shelf life.

A New Hidden Markov Model for Protein Quality Assessment Using Compatibility Between Protein Sequence and Structure

Protein structure Quality Assessment（QA） is an essential component in protein structure prediction and analysis. The relationship between protein sequence and structure often serves as a basis for protein structure QA.In this work, we developed a new Hidden Markov Model（HMM） to assess the compatibility of protein sequence and structure for capturing their complex relationship. More specifically, the emission of the HMM consists of protein local structures in angular space, secondary structures, and sequence profiles. This model has two capabilities：（1） encoding local structure of each position by jointly considering sequence and structure information, and（2）assigning a global score to estimate the overall quality of a predicted structure, as well as local scores to assess the quality of specific regions of a structure, which provides useful guidance for targeted structure refinement. We compared the HMM model to state-of-art single structure quality assessment methods OPUSCA, DFIRE, GOAP,and RW in protein structure selection. Computational results showed our new score HMM.Z can achieve better overall selection performance on the benchmark datasets.

Individual and interactive influences of elevated air temperature and soil drought at the flowering and boll-forming stage on cottonseed yield and nutritional quality

As the main byproduct of cotton production,cottonseed yields edible vegetable oil,ruminant feed,and industrial products.We evaluated the individual and interactive effects of elevated air temperature and soil drought on cottonseed yield and nutritional quality using two cotton cultivars,Sumian 15(heat-susceptible)and PHY370 WR(heat-tolerant).The experiment was conducted under three levels of soil relative water content(SRWC):(75±5)%,(60±5)%and(45±5)%and two temperature regimes:ambient temperature(AT,31.0/26.4℃,mean daytime/night temperature)and elevated temperature(ET,33.4/28.9℃).Cottonseed yield,boll number,seed number,and single-seed weight were lower under combined ET and SRWC(45±5)%than either individual stress or combined stresses in comparison with the control treatment(SRWC(75±5)%under AT).Drought tended to increase oil content and reduce protein content,whereas ET showed almost the opposite effects.Under the combination of ET and soil drought,oil content was still higher than under control,although ET weakened the beneficial effects of drought.For protein,ET offset the negative impacts of mild drought on protein content,but protein content was not increased under SRWC(45±5)%.Each stress or combined stress reduced oil and protein yields under all treatments,owing to declines in cottonseed yields.The combined stress reduced unsaturated fatty acid(UFA)/saturated fatty acid(SFA)and essential amino acid(EAA)/non-essential amino acid(NAA).Compared with PHY370 WR,the sensitivity of Sumian 15 to the combined factors was evidenced in the following ways:(1)seed yield,yield components,oil and protein yields were decreased more for Sumian 15 than PHY370 WR compared with the control treatment;(2)the combined stresses caused lower oil content,UFA,and UFA/SFA in Sumian 15 than PHY370 WR;(3)interaction effects of the combined factors on protein content and EAA/NAA were detected only in Sumian 15.

Composition of Starch and Protein in the Endosperm of Newly Generated Double Recessive Waxy and Opaque 2 Maize （Zea mays L.） Genotypes

Waxy maize with its pure amylopectin starch is the staple food of many ethnic minorities in hilly regions of Southeast Asia （SEA）. A combination of waxy and quality protein maize （QPM） traits would improve the quality of protein of waxy maize for human consumption. Double recessive waxy-QPM （wx-o2） genotypes had been generated from Southern Chinese material by haploid induction of crosses heterozygous for the two quality traits with an absolutely conserved waxy type and an improved amino acid profile. The vitreous kernel trait （due to the additional modifier genes present in QPM） was lost in the wx-o2 plant material; this may be due to the waxy mutation, this is anyhow desirable for acceptance as waxy maize is preferred due to its soft grains. The content of the quality limiting amino acid lysine was greatly increased in double recessive wx-o2 genotypes compared to standard waxy maize, but still with a high variation among genotypes for future improvement. Conclusively, it was indeed possible to combine two grain quality mutations successfully within one genotype and prototypes of double quality wx-o2 are available now to contribute to meet human requirements in essential amino acids and thus reduce malnutrition in various regions of Asia.

Estimate of Amino Acid Balance in Nutrition

A new chemical index-imbalance degree (IBD), was proposed on the basis of cluster analysis in multivariate statistical analysis to estimate the extent of amino acid balance in protein. The range of IBD is between 0 and 1, successively corresponding to complete balance and entire imbalance for the amino acid profile of a sample. The amino acid increment model of IBD belongs to an asymmetrical maximum-type, and there is a high correlation between IBD and coefficient of variation (CV). The nutritional value of individual feed can be ranked and clustered according to its IBD; and by calculating the IBD of amixed sample with two or more feedstuffs, it is Possible theoretically to predict whether a synergetic. pheno men on exists and when an optimal mutual complement can happen. If the conceptive frame of IBD extended, it can be used to study the balance of nutrients besides amino acids, and is helpful to realize the automatic distinction and selection in diet formulating.

Recent Development in Maize Research at Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, Nigeria

Maize research at Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, Nigeria resulted in sustained growth in yields in the last two decades. Maize is grown throughout the country with guinea savanna as the most important maize growing zone. In the last five years, four new open pollinating varieties developed in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture （IITA, Ibadan） had been released for production. Hybrid varieties are also marketed by seed companies. The research was focused on variety improvement, improved management practices, integrated pests and disease control, soil fertility management, on-farm testing of improved production packages and socio-economics of production as well as adoption studies. The recently released quality protein maize has improved the nutritional status of vulnerable groups. Drought tolerant maize for Africa research project has contributed to sustainable maize production, poverty reduction and food security in the continent.

Nutritional quality of formulated complementary diet from defatted almond seed,yellow maize and quality protein maize flours

Traditional complementary foods are mainly starchy foods with limiting nutrient quality and can be fortified using protein rich crops like almond seed.This research thus aimed at investigating the nutritional quality of the formulated complementary diet from locally available almond seeds(Prunus amygdalus),high quality protein(QPM)and yellow maize after blending into flours.The proximate and amino acid compositions,in vitro protein qualities and functional properties of the blended flours were determined using standard methods.The in vivo studies involved feeding the weanling Wister albino rats with blended flours and commercial Cerelac(control),followed by hematological and histopathological determinations,while sensory attributes were evaluated by the semi-trained panelists.The protein contents of the flour blends(24–28%)were significantly(p<0.05)better with adequate indispensable amino acids and improved functionalities than commercial cerelac(23%).Comparatively,the dried germinated QPM(DGQPM)has significant(p<0.05)higher biological value(~37%)than fermented high QPM(FHQPM)(~30%),thereby indicating that the germination process improved protein quality of the diets.Besides,the in vivo data showed a positive effect of germination process as the rats fed with DGQPM has low white blood cells(30×10^(2))compared to FHQPM(42×10^(2))and cerelac(51×10^(2)).However,the fermentation process improved the packed cell volume of rats fed with FHQPM(49%)when compared to DGQPM and cerelac(47%).The formulated diets have no negative effects on the protein content(45.19–51.88 mg N/g)and weight(0.25–1.36 g)of the internal organs(liver,kidney and tissue)of the animals when compared to cerelac(53.72–55.04 mg N/g;0.25–1.98 g),respectively.The panelists generally accepted all the formulated diets,hence encouraging their utilization in the global preparation of complimentary foods for young children to meet their nutritional needs and adding value to the locally produced underutilized almond seeds.

Salicylic Acid Signaling Controls the Maturation and Localization of the Arabidopsis Defense Protein ACCELERATED CELL DEATH6

ACCELERATED CELL DEATH6 （ACD6） is a multipass membrane protein with an ankyrin domain that acts in a positive feedback loop with the defense signal salicylic acid （SA）. This study implemented biochemical approaches to infer changes in ACD6 complexes and localization. In addition to forming endoplasmic reticulum （ER）- and plasma membrane （PM）-Iocalized complexes, ACD6 forms soluble complexes, where it is bound to cytosolic HSP70, ubiquitinated, and degraded via the proteasome. Thus, ACD6 constitutively undergoes ER-associated degradation. During SA signaling, the soluble ACD6 pool decreases, whereas the PM pool increases. Similarly, ACD6-1, an activated version of ACD6 that induces SA, is present at low levels in the soluble fraction and high levels in the PM. However, ACD6 variants with amino acid substitutions in the ankyrin domain form aberrant, inactive complexes, are induced by a SA agonist, but show no PM localization. SA signaling also increases the PM pools of FLAGELLIN SENSING2 （FLS2） and BRI1-ASSOClATED RECEPTOR KINASE 1 （BAK1）. FLS2 forms complexes ACD6; both FLS2 and BAK1 require ACD6 for maximal accumulation at the PM in response to SA signaling. A plausible scenario is that SA increases the efficiency of productive folding and/or complex formation in the ER, such that ACD6, together with FLS2 and BAK1, reaches the cell surface to more effectively promote immune responses.

Highlights of the 2nd International Symposium on Tribbles and Diseases: tribbles tremble in therapeutics for immunity, metabolism, fundamental cell biology and cancer

The Tribbles(TRIB) family of pseudokinase proteins has been shown to play key roles in cell cycle, metabolic diseases, chronic inflammatory disease, and cancer development. A better understanding of the mechanisms of TRIB pseudokinases could provide new insights for disease development and help promote TRIB proteins as novel therapeutic targets for drug discovery. At the 2 nd International Symposium on Tribbles and Diseases held on May 7–9, 2018 in Beijing, China, a group of leading Tribbles scientists reported their findings and ongoing studies about the effects of the different TRIB proteins in the areas of immunity, metabolism, fundamental cell biology and cancer. Here, we summarize important and insightful overviews from 4 keynote lectures, 13 plenary lectures and 8 short talks that took place during this meeting. These findings may offer new insights for the understanding of the roles of TRIB pseudokinases in the development of various diseases.

Regulation of immune-related diseases by multiple factors: a meeting report of 2017 International Workshop of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Initiative for Innovative Medicine on Tumor Immunology

Immune cells play key roles in cancer and chronic inflammatory disease. A better understanding of the mechanisms and risks will help develop novel target therapies. At the 2017 International Workshop of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Initiative for Innovative Medicine on Tumor Immunology held in Beijing, China, on May 12, 2017, a number of speakers reported new findings and ongoing studies on immune-related diseases such as cancer, fibrotic disease, diabetes, and others. A considerably insightful overview was provided on cancer immunity, tumor microenvironments,and new immunotherapy for cancer. In addition, chronic inflammatory diseases were discussed. These findings may offer new insights into targeted immunotherapy.