What is the role of IL-1 alpha in the immune system?4 answersIL-1α plays a crucial role in the immune system by regulating inflammation, immune cell recruitment, and cytokine release. It acts as a proinflammatory cytokine, driving immune responses during bacterial infections. Evolutionarily, IL-1α has acquired additional roles such as nuclear localization and histone acetyl transferase binding, influencing its intracellular functions. Studies using IL-1α knockout models have shown that IL-1α is essential for the expression of neutrophil chemoattractants and can function independently of IL-1β in activating immune responses. In tumor immunity, secreted IL-1α promotes tumor development by inhibiting T and NK cell activation while enhancing myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) recruitment, highlighting its diverse roles in immune regulation.
Which are the roles of NRP1?5 answersNeuropilin-1 (NRP1) plays diverse roles in various biological processes and diseases. In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), NRP1 acts as a crucial biomarker associated with proliferation, metastasis, and immunosuppression, suggesting its potential as an immunoregulation target and predictive biomarker in immune treatment. In multiple cancer types, NRP1 is implicated in tumor development, immunity, and prognosis, with high expression levels correlating with poor outcomes and influencing tumor mutational burden and immune cell infiltration. Additionally, NRP1 promotes adipogenesis by interacting with JIP4 and activating the Akt and ERK1/2 pathway, with glycosylation negatively affecting this process. Moreover, a splice variant of NRP1 enhances colorectal cancer metastasis by modulating endosomal signaling pathways, promoting cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. In prostate cancer, NRP1 interacts with EGFR to activate the AKT signaling pathway, driving malignant progression and suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
How does MAPK signaling pathways works in immune cells?9 answersMitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways play a pivotal role in the regulation of immune cell function, influencing processes such as growth, immunity, inflammation, and stress response. These pathways are highly conserved across eukaryotic cells and are activated by a variety of stimuli, including cytokines, neurotransmitters, and hormones, which in turn activate downstream targets to control cellular processes. Specifically, in immune cells, MAPK pathways, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), p38 MAPKs, and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), are integral for transcriptional and non-transcriptional responses to invading pathogens.
The activation of MAPKs in immune cells is triggered by the engagement of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) upon pathogen infection or tissue damage, leading to the induction of genes that regulate the inflammatory response. This process is crucial for both innate and adaptive immunity, facilitating the production of cytokines and the differentiation of T and B lymphocytes. In the context of innate immunity, ERK1/2 signaling downstream of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is essential for eliciting inflammatory gene expression in response to infection and tissue damage. Similarly, various isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC), which are involved in TLR signaling, play selective roles in modulating immune cell functions, further illustrating the complexity of MAPK signaling in immune regulation.
Moreover, MAPK pathways are not only involved in the activation and regulation of immune responses but also in the control of immune cell proliferation, apoptosis, and homeostasis. For instance, MAPKs are crucial for T cell development and function, as evidenced by protocols designed to study their roles in murine T cells. Additionally, aberrant MAPK activation can lead to excessive inflammatory responses, such as the "cytokine storm" observed in severe respiratory viral diseases, highlighting the importance of understanding MAPK functions in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and the development of targeted therapies.
In summary, MAPK signaling pathways are essential for the regulation of immune cell function, mediating responses to pathogen invasion and tissue damage through the activation of various downstream targets that control cellular processes related to growth, immunity, inflammation, and stress response.
What are the functions of PD-1 in immunology CANCER?5 answersPD-1 is a cell surface receptor that plays a role in immune responses in cancer. It is involved in the regulation of T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and myeloid cells. PD-1 interacts with its ligand PD-L1 to suppress anti-tumor immune responses. Antibodies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 have revolutionized cancer treatment by enhancing T cell independent immune responses. PD-1 function is strictly restricted at the activation phase of T-cell responses, and its sensitivity in T cells is determined by T-cell-intrinsic factors. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have been found to modulate the expression of PD-L1, highlighting the role of post-translational modifications in PD-1 function. PD-1 can be targeted in cancer to enhance immune activation, while in autoimmune diseases it can be enhanced to block heightened immune function. Further studies are needed to understand the exact functioning of PD-1 in different disease contexts and at different stages of immune response maturation.
Does macrophage arginase 1 inhibit inflammation?4 answersMacrophage arginase 1 has been shown to have a dual role in inflammation. In the context of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, arginase 1 produced by myeloid cells was found to be essential for controlling damaging inflammatory responses. However, in the context of arthritis, the transcription factor Fra-1 was found to inhibit arginase 1 expression, thereby promoting inflammation. Additionally, a study on macrophages in innate immunity found that arginase 2, a mitochondrial enzyme involved in arginine metabolism, promoted the resolution of inflammation. These findings suggest that the role of macrophage arginase 1 in inflammation may vary depending on the specific context and the presence of other factors.
What is the role of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in cancer?5 answersThe PD-1/PD-L1 pathway plays a crucial role in cancer by regulating immune responses and promoting immune escape. PD-1 is a protein that inhibits immune responses and promotes self-tolerance, while PD-L1 is a protein that attenuates the host immune response to tumor cells. Tumor cells often express high levels of PD-L1, which can result in treatment failure. Antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have been developed to attack tumor cells, but resistance to immune therapy remains a challenge. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as modulators of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, influencing the immune response and immunotherapy. Additionally, abnormal ubiquitination and deubiquitination of PD-1/PD-L1 can influence PD-1/PD-L1-mediated immunosuppression, suggesting that targeting PD-1/PD-L1 ubiquitination could be a promising therapeutic approach for cancer immunotherapy. Overall, understanding the role of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.