TGF-β1 reduces the differentiation of porcine IgA-producing plasma cells by inducing IgM+ B cells apoptosis via Bax/Bcl2-Caspase3 pathway

Shh Protects the Injured Spinal Cord in Mice by Promoting the Proliferation and Inhibiting the Apoptosis of Nerve Cells via the Gli1-TGF-β1/ERK Axis

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common neurological trauma that cannot be completely cured with surgical techniques and medications. In this study, we established a mouse SCI model and used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to achieve the high expression of sonic hedgehog (Shh) at the injury site to further investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Shh on SCI. The results of the present study show that Shh may promote motor function recovery. The present findings demonstrate the protective effect of Shh overexpression in SCI by regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of nerve cells at the site of SCI. Shh promotes the proliferation of early microglia, inhibits the proliferation of early astrocytes, and promotes the formation of neurons at the site of injury. In addition, Shh may inhibit apoptosis at the SCI site. The mechanism by which Shh regulates nerve cells at the site of SCI may involve glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1). The present research indicates that Gli1 regulates the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway, inhibiting the classic TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway and activating the TGF-β1/extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. Collectively, these findings suggest that Shh is a regulatory molecule involved in nerve cell proliferation and apoptosis. High Shh expression can accelerate motor function recovery after SCI, indicating that it may be a promising therapeutic approach for SCI.

Transforming growth factor-β micro-environment mediated immune cell functions in cervical cancer

Propensity to develop cervical cancer (CC) in human papilloma virus (HPV) infected individual could potentially involve the impaired immune functioning. Several stages of HPV surveillance by immune cells in tumor micro-environment (TME) is regulated mainly by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and is crucial for the establishment of CC. The role of TGF-β in the initiation and progression of CC is very complex and involve different suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) dependent and SMAD independent signaling mechanism(s). This review summarizes the handling of HPV by immune cells such as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer cells (NK), dendritic cells (DC), monocytes, macrophages, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and their regulation by TGF-β. The hijack mechanisms adapted by HPV to evade this surveillance process is discussed. Biomarkers indicating the stages of CC and immune checkpoints that can be targeted for improved outcome are included for immune-based theragnostics. This review also addresses the direct actions of TGF-β on CC cells and tumor/immune cell interactions. Therapies focused on targeting TGF-β using small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies and TGF-β chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)T cells are collated to understand the current strategies related to TGF-β in the management of CC.

CD27 is not an ideal marker for human memory B cells and can be modulated by IL-21 upon stimulated by Anti-CD40

B cells play a key role in humoral immune responses by producing antibodies. Although there are numerous research on memory B cells definition markers and cytokines on B cell development, different studies have yielded contradictory conclusions due to species studied, the different cells and stimulating agents used. In the current study, we conducted a detailed characterization of B cells in human CBMCs, PBMCs and tonsil, including expression of Igs, activation and memory markers. Furthermore, we found that considerable amounts of IgA and IgG were expressed by CD27- B cells. These "Atypical" memory B cells corresponded to approximately 50% of IgG+ and IgA+B cells in blood, this proportion even reached 90% in tonsil. In addition, we investigated the effect of IL-21 and TGF-β1 on the membrane-bound form and secreted form of Igs using PBMCs and purified blood B cells. There were actual differences between the effect of cytokines on Igs secretion and surface expression. Our study will be helpful to advance the knowledge and understanding of humoral memory.

TLR9 mediates IgA production in the porcine small intestine during PEDV infection

IgA plays a vital role in defending against the infectious pathogens. However, the specific regulatory pathways involved in IgA secretion in the context of PEDV infection have remained elusive. Therefore, in this study, we explore the molecular mechanisms underlying IgA secretion in response to infection, with a particular focus on PEDV, a devastating enteric virus affecting global swine production. Our investigation begins by examining changes in IgA concentrations in both serum and small intestinal contents following PEDV infection in 2- and 4-week-old pigs. Remarkably, a significant increase in IgA levels in these older pigs post-infection were observed. To delve deeper into the regulatory mechanisms governing IgA secretion in response to PEDV infection, isolated porcine intestinal B cells were co-cultured with monocytes derived DCs (Mo-DCs) in vitro. In the intestinal DC-B cell co-cultures, IgA secretion was found to increase significantly after PEDV infection, as well as upregulating the expression of AID, GLTα and PSTα reflecting isotype switching to IgA. In addition, the expression of TLR9 was upregulated in these cultures, as determined by RT-qPCR and western blotting. Moreover, our findings extend to in vivo observations, where we detected higher levels of TLR9 expression in the ileum of pig post PEDV infection. Collectively, our results highlight the ability of PEDV to stimulate the generation of IgA, particularly in elder pigs, and identify TLR9 as a critical mediator of IgA production within the porcine intestinal microenvironment during PEDV infection.