Immunology of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is primarily a malignancy of the liver, advancing from a damaged, cirrhotic liver to HCC. Globally, HCC is the sixth most prevalent cancer and the third-most prevalent reason for neoplastic disease-related deaths. A diverse array of infiltrating immunocytes regulates the development and progression of HCC, as is the case in many other cancers. An understanding of the various immune components during HCC becomes necessary so that novel therapeutic strategies can be designed to combat the disease. A dysregulated immune system(including changes in the number and/or function of immune cells, cytokine levels, and the expression of inhibitory receptors or their ligands) plays a key role in the development of HCC. Alterations in either the innate or adaptive arm of the immune system and cross-talk between them make the immune system tolerant to tumors, leading to disease progression. In this review, we have discussed the status and roles of various immune effector cells(e.g., dendritic cells, natural killer cells, macrophages, and T cells), their cytokine profile, and the chemokine-receptor axis in promoting or impeding HCC.

Neuroinflammation,neurodegeneration and regeneration in multiple sclerosis:intercorrelated manifestations of the immune response

Multiple sclerosis （MS） is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory-demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, with a strong neurodegenerative component. The question whether neurodegeneration in MS is independent or related to neuroinflammation has been long debated, but not yet fully clarified. Furthermore, little is still known on how neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in MS are related to potential regenerative processes. In this perspective, we briefly discuss main clinical, pathological and experimental evidence on the relationship between neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in MS, and on their connection with regeneration. We discuss that these processes in MS might represent intercorrelated manifestations of the immune response, especially of the innate immunity.

针灸调节固有免疫治疗克罗恩病的研究进展

Crohn's disease(CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease whose pathogenesis remains unclear.In this paper,we reviewed the basic research of acupuncture and moxibustion in treating CD by regulating intestinal intrinsic immunity,and summarized in more detail that acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the intestinal intrinsic immune system through the intestinal epithelial cell barrier,monocytes/macrophages,natural killer cells(NK cells),dendritic cells(DC),and neutrophils.Specifically,acupuncture and moxibustion can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors in the intestinal mucosa,alleviate intestinal fibrosis to repair the mechanical barrier of the intestinal mucosa,inhibit the expression of molecules of the MAPK,TLR/NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammatory factors,block the NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity pathway,and prevent the overactivation of neutrophils to control inflammatory responses,repairing the damaged intestinal tract and alleviating CD symptoms.This paper illustrated the characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion for CD,which involves multi targets and pathways,aiming to provide guidance for the clinical application and basic research of acupuncture and moxibustion for CD.It also pointed out the current drawbacks of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy,and finally proposing the shortcomings of the current research,including the insufficient number of studies on acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of CD through the modulation of NK cells and neutrophils,the lack of standardization in acupuncture point selection,duration and treatment course,and the geographical limitations of the research locations for acupuncture and moxibustion in treating CD.

3efining the nature of human yo T cells： a biographical ketch of the highly empathetic

The elusive task of defining the character of 76 T cells has been an evolving process for immunologists since stumbling upon their existence during the molecular characterization of the a and p T cell receptor genes of their better understood brethren. Defying the categorical rules used to distinctly characterize lymphocytes as either innate or adaptive in nature, 76 T cells inhabit a hybrid world of their own. At opposing ends of the simplified spectrum of modes of antigen recognition used by lymphocytes, natural killer and ap T cells are particularly well equipped to respond to the ＇missing self＇ and the ＇dangerous non-self＇, respectively. However, between these two reductive extremes, we are chronically faced with the challenge of making peace with the ＇safe non-self＇ and dealing with the inevitable ＇distressed self＇, and it is within this more complex realm 76 T cells excel thanks to their highly empathetic nature. This review gives an overview of the latest insights revealing the unfolding story of human 76 T cells, providing a biographical sketch of these unique lymphocytes in an attempt to capture the essence of their fundamental nature and events that influence their life trajectory. What hangs in their balance is their nuanced ability to differentiate the friends from the foe and the pathological from the benign to help us adapt swiftly and efficiently to life＇s many stresses.