How does epigenetics affect cell Immunotherapy efficiency?5 answersEpigenetics plays a crucial role in influencing cell immunotherapy efficiency by modulating gene expression and chromatin architecture. Epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, are common in cancer and can impact immune responses. Studies suggest that targeting epigenetic regulators can reverse immune escape mechanisms, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapies. Furthermore, epigenetic therapies, when combined with immunotherapies, show promise in improving treatment outcomes for various cancers, including T-cell malignancies. Understanding the crosstalk between epigenetic modifications and immune responses is essential for identifying patients who will benefit from immunotherapy-based treatments and for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Is methylation important for immune regulation?5 answersDNA methylation plays a crucial role in immune regulation, as evidenced by various studies. In human malaria, DNA methylation profiles undergo significant changes in response to Plasmodium falciparum infection and subsequent treatment, impacting immune processes. Similarly, in turbot immunized with an inactivated vaccine of Aeromonas salmonicida, DNA methylation alterations affect immune-related gene expression, particularly in pathways like Toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, in Antheraea pernyi, DNA methylation inhibition modifies gene expression, especially in immune-related genes, suggesting a regulatory role of DNA methylation in insect immune responses. Additionally, DNA methylation has been highlighted in memory T and B cell development, with DNA methyltransferases playing essential roles in memory differentiation and function, indicating the importance of DNA methylation in immune memory response monitoring. Overall, these studies collectively emphasize the significance of DNA methylation in immune regulation across different organisms and infection scenarios.
How epigenetic memory or trained immunity is related to IBD or inflammation in the gut?4 answersTrained immunity, a form of innate immune memory, has been shown to play a role in inflammation and immune-mediated diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the gut. Trained immunity involves the epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming of innate immune cells, leading to enhanced responsiveness to subsequent triggers. This reprogramming is characterized by the accumulation of specific epigenetic marks on immune gene promoters and enhancers. The induction of trained immunity in the hematopoietic niche results in the generation of epigenetically and metabolically reprogrammed innate immune cells that have an increased capacity to resolve inflammation. However, while trained immunity can be beneficial for host defense, it may also contribute to maladaptive immune responses that aggravate pathology in chronic inflammatory diseases. Understanding the mechanisms underlying trained immunity may provide insights into the development and treatment of inflammation and IBD in the gut.
How do regulatory T cells affect inflammatory cell migration?5 answersRegulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in controlling inflammation and autoimmunity. The migratory capacity of Tregs determines their location and their location determines whether they inhibit the priming of naive lymphocytes in lymphoid tissues or the effector phase of immune responses at inflamed sites. Tregs generated in vitro and stimulated with TLR2 signals showed enhanced cell migration within lymphoid tissues when transferred into mice intravenously or into the footpad. Glycolysis was found to be instrumental for the migration of Tregs, and it was initiated by pro-migratory stimuli via a PI3K-mTORC2-mediated pathway. Treg cells lacking this pathway were functionally suppressive but failed to migrate to inflamed skin allografts and inhibit rejection. Treg cell migration between inflammatory sites and draining lymph nodes is crucial for them to acquire optimal immune regulatory activities. T cell-intrinsic IRF5 was found to regulate chemokine receptor-initiated signaling and T cell migration.
How do cytokines produced by colonic epithelial cells affect the inflammatory response?5 answersCytokines produced by colonic epithelial cells play a crucial role in the inflammatory response. In Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) patients, a dense mucosal cholinergic innervation is associated with decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory IL-8 by colonic epithelial cells. IL-37, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, can suppress the innate immune signaling of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) through inhibition of p38 and NFκB signaling pathways. Curcumin, delivered using crosslinked starch nanocarriers, decreases the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 by IEC, while increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Epithelial mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling regulates epithelial differentiation, which in turn controls the cytokine milieu of the colon, suggesting that proper differentiation of epithelial cells is important for colonic homeostasis and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines.
How does digestive diseases effect epigenetic?4 answersDigestive diseases can have an impact on epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetics refers to stable changes in cellular phenotype that are not caused by alterations in DNA sequence. DNA methylation, a key epigenetic mechanism, plays a major role in regulating cell biology and gene expression. The gastrointestinal microbiota, which has a significant influence on our health, has been found to induce epigenetic changes in host cells. Dysregulation in microbiota-GI cross talk is suspected to be involved in various GI diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Aberrant epigenetic patterns have been linked to digestive diseases such as Barrett's esophagus, cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastrointestinal malignancies. Understanding the role of epigenetic changes in digestive diseases can provide insights into disease development, early detection, prognosis, and potential therapeutic strategies.