Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for the chronic immune-mediated idiopathic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, manifesting as Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD is characterized by exacerbated innate and adaptive immunity in the gut in association with microbiota dysbiosis and the disruption of the intestinal barrier, resulting in increased bacterial exposure. In response to signals from microorganisms and damaged tissue, innate immune cells produce inflammatory cytokines and factors that stimulate T and B cells of the adaptive immune system, and a prominent characteristic of IBD patients is the accumulation of inflammatory T-cells and their proinflammatory-associated cytokines in intestinal tissue. Upon antigen recognition and activation, CD4 T-cells differentiate towards a range of distinct phenotypes: T helper(h)1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22, T follicular helper (Tfh), and several types of T-regulatory cells (Treg). T-cells are generated according to and adapt to microenvironmental conditions and participate in a complex network of interactions among other immune cells that modulate the further progression of IBD. This review examines the role of the CD4 T-cells most relevant to IBD, highlighting how these cells adapt to the environment and interact with other cell populations to promote or inhibit the development of IBD.

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CD4 T-Cell Subsets and the Pathophysiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Pharmacologic effects approach of essential oils and their components on respiratory diseases.

L’asthme et l’allergie, rencontres de type 2

Efficacy and safety of house dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy in polysensitized children with allergic asthma.

Herba Houttuyniae is the well-knownfood-medicine herb with the special taste and smell. It is also widely used in south China for prevention of various chronic pulmonary inflammatory diseases including asthma. However, the active ingredients and therapeutic mechanism of this herb remain obscure. In this study, network pharmacology technology was employed to investigate the effects of Herba Houttuyniae aqueous extract (HHAE) on OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. The results showed that six compounds (isoramanone, kaempferol, 1-methyl-2-nonacosyl-4-quinolone, C09747, spinasterol, and quercetin) were found to be mainly responsible for the therapeutic effects of the herb, which totally regulated the expressions of 168 asthma-related proteins. All those targets involved in the signal transduction of the prolactin signaling pathway, central carbon metabolism in cancer, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, endocrine resistance, and VEGF signaling pathway. The in vivo experiment also revealed that orally administrated with HHAE alleviated airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. It significantly decreased the counts of neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes as well as the levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-13 in BALF of asthmatic mice. Mechanically, HHAE downregulated both the mRNA and protein expressions of p38 MAPK, PI3K, AKT, and VEGF in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice. Therefore, HHAE improved OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in mice and could be a potential supplement for asthma treatment.

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Protective Effects of Herba Houttuyniae Aqueous Extract against OVA-Induced Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Inflammation in Asthmatic Mice

Immune response in the asthmatic respiratory tract is mainly driven by CD4+ T helper (Th) cells, represented by Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, especially Th2 cells. Asthma is a heterogeneous and progressive disease, reflected by distinct phenotypes orchestrated by τh2 or non-Th2 (Th1 and Th17) immune responses at different stages of the disease course. Heterogeneous cytokine expression within the same Th effector state in response to changing conditions in vivo and interlineage relationship among CD4+ T cells shape the complex immune networks of the inflammatory airway, making it difficult to find one panacea for all asthmatics. Here, we review the role of three T helper subsets in the pathogenesis of asthma from different stages, highlighting timing is everything in the immune system. We also discuss the dynamic topography of Th subsets and pathogenetic memory Th cells in asthma.

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Weihan Luo

Papers

Distinct spatial and temporal roles for Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells in asthma

Research on the Way Walmart Succeeded during the Pandemic