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• CAR-T therapy offers durable remissions in refractory hematological malignancies. • Meta-analyses show significant efficacy in various hematologic cancers. • CAR T-cell therapy improves quality of life for blood cancer patients. • Encouraging results in CD22-targeting CAR T-cell therapy for B-cell malignancies. • Long-term studies reveal durable remissions but also persistent adverse effects. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking and highly promising approach for the management of cancer. This paper reviews the efficacy of CAR-T therapy in the treatment of various hematological malignancies, also, with a mention of its effect on solid tumors, for which they have not received FDA approval yet. Different common and uncommon side effects are also discussed in this paper, with attention to the effect of each drug separately. By reviewing the recommendations of the FDA for CAR-T therapy research, we have extensively discussed dose-limiting toxicities. This further highlights the need for precise dosing strategies, striking a balance between therapeutic benefits and potential risks. Additionally, we reviewed the long-term follow-up of patients receiving CAR-T therapy to gain valuable insights into response durability and late-onset effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (APS4) with direct cytotoxicity on various cancer cells has been prepared in our previous study, while the underlying therapeutic role of APS4 on solid tumors in vivo hasn't been investigated yet. Therefore, in this paper, the lymphocytes-mediated antitumor and immunoregulatory activities of APS4 were researched by establishing S180 tumor-bearing mice model. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that APS4 could effectively regulate the percentages of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells in thymus, peripheral blood and spleen of S180 tumor-bearing mice, dose-dependently. H&E staining and cell cycle determination of solid tumors manifested that APS4 treatment could significantly inhibit the growth of solid tumors by inducing cells apoptosis. Furthermore, two-dimensional electrophoresis and western blot analysis further demonstrated that APS4 could activate antitumor-related immune cells and promote anaerobic metabolism of tumor microenvironment, thereby causing the apoptosis of S180 tumor cells. These data implicated that APS4 could be used as a potential dietary supplement for immune enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent paper, Schriek et al. show that, in a complement-dependent reaction, marginal zone B cells (MZBs) steal MHC class II (MHCII) from dendritic cells (DCs). Activation of T cells by stolen MHCII complexes potentially allows MZBs to augment or regulate T cell activation in ways that are distinct from DCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnosing acute leukemia is the necessary prerequisite to treating it. Multi-classification on the gene expression data of acute leukemia is help for diagnosing it which contains B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BALL), T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (TALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, selecting cancer-causing genes is a challenging problem in performing multi-classification. In this paper, weighted gene co-expression networks are employed to divide the genes into groups. Based on the dividing groups, a new regularized multinomial regression with overlapping group lasso penalty (MROGL) has been presented to simultaneously perform multi-classification and select gene groups. By implementing this method on three-class acute leukemia data, the grouped genes which work synergistically are identified, and the overlapped genes shared by different groups are also highlighted. Moreover, MROGL outperforms other five methods on multi-classification accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T and B lymphocytes are closely related to immunization and pathogen infection. Our previous study confirmed the CD3 + , CD4-1 + , CD4-2 + , CD8β + T lymphocytes and IgM + B lymphocytes presented in the peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) of flounder ( Paralichthys olivaceus ), in this paper, the variations of T and B lymphocytes of flounder after Hirame novirhabdovirus (HIRRV) infection or immunization were investigated. The flounders were injected with live or inactivated HIRRV, then the percentages of T and B lymphocytes in PBLs were analyzed by Flow cytometry (FCM), total antibodies and HIRRV-specific antibodies in serum were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and expression of twelve immune-related genes in the head kidneys were determined using q-PCR. The results showed that the percentages of CD3 + , CD4-1 + , CD4-2 + , CD8β + T lymphocytes and IgM + B lymphocytes significantly increased in both infection and immunization groups, in infection group they decreased rapidly after the peak and significantly lower than control levels at the end of infection, in immunization group they went down steadily to the control levels at the end of immunization. The total antibodies and HIRRV-specific antibodies increased first and peaked on the 7 th day post infection and on the 14 th day post immunization, respectively, then gradually decreased to the control levels. Additionally, twelve immune-related genes were up-regulated in both groups. These results demonstrated that the HIRRV induced both humoral and cellular immunity of flounder, the lymphocytes varied more sharply in infection group than those in immunization group and CD8 + T lymphocytes responded much more than CD4 + T lymphocytes to HIRRV antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease that is common in elderly people. Its classification in the spectrum of autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases is difficult because of its only partially understood immune-mediated mechanisms. The literature concerning the innate and adaptive immune system activation in PMR was systematically reviewed highlighting the relative weight of autoinflammation and autoimmunity in its pathogenesis and disease progression. A literature search on PubMed Central and Embase scientific databases was performed by two independent reviewers. To be eligible, the studies needed to fully satisfy our initial PICO framework: a primary diagnosis of PMR as a population, the search for immune/inflammatory cells, cytokines and autoantibodies as an intervention, a control group consisting in healthy controls, patients with other inflammatory rheumatic diseases or PMR patients in remission after treatment and as outcomes the results of the investigations in the analyzed tissue samples. The most relevant data of the included papers were extracted by using a standardized template. Of the 933 screened abstracts, 52 papers were included in the systematic review and categorized depending on their primary research objectives. The hyper-activity of neutrophils and monocytes, expressing toll-like receptor 7 in active disease, an impaired phagocytosis and endothelial dysfunction, as well as an increased count of innate T cells in patients with remission emerged among the major derangements of the innate immune response in PMR. Among the cytokines profile, interleukin-6 plays a key role but other pro-inflammatory mediators and angiogenesis markers such as chemokines, B-cell activating factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietins seem to be involved in refractory or glucocorticoid-resistant PMR. The aberrant adaptive immune response was documented by tissue and serum findings of polarized T cells towards T helper 1 and 17 phenotypes, an increased expression of immunosenescent surface markers and a downregulated immunoregulatory response. The altered distribution of peripheral B cells, detected during active disease, suggested their peripheral migration towards unidentified sites. The interaction between innate and adaptive immune response was documented by a synovial infiltrate of macrophages and T cells. Despite multiple autoantibodies have been detected in PMR patients, none proved to correlate with disease activity seeming to be reactive to the marked inflammation or antigenic determinants provided by environmental triggers or tissue/cell damage. The complex network between innate and adaptive immune system in PMR is supported by findings at molecular and cellular levels. By considering both the ends of the pathophysiological spectrum of immune-mediated rheumatic diseases, PMR may be regarded as an inflammatory immune-mediated disease with mixed mechanisms in a background of genetic and epigenetic factors together with immunological and endocrine senescence. • High concentrations of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell growth factors identify active PMR patients • Innate immune cells might play a role both in PMR disease activity and sub-clinical ongoing inflammation. • T cells are dysregulated in PMR for a hyper-expression of immunosenescent markers and deficient immunoregulatory pathways. • B cells peripheral distribution is altered during active disease suggesting an inflammatory-driven compartmentalization. • Autoantibodies do not seem pathogenetic in PMR but may be reactive to external triggers or damaged tissues self-antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune repertoire (IR) refers to the sum of B cells and T cells with functional diversity in the circulatory system of one individual at any given time. Immune cells, which reside within microenvironments and are responsible for protecting the human body, include T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. These dedicated immune cells have a characteristic structure and function. T and B cells are the main lymphocytes and are responsible for cellular immunity and humoral immunity, respectively. The T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR) are composed of multiple peptide chains with antigen specificity. The amino acid composition and sequence order are more diverse in the complementarity-determining regions (including CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3) of each peptide chain, allowing a vast library of TCRs and BCRs. IR research is becoming increasingly focused on the study of CDR3 diversity. Deep profiling of CDR3s using high-throughput sequencing is a powerful approach for elucidating the composition and distribution of the CDR3s in a given sample, with in-depth information at the sequence level. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. To identify novel biomarkers for diagnosis and drug targets for therapeutic interventions, several groups attempted to describe immune repertoire characteristics of the liver in the physiological environment or/and pathological conditions. This paper reviews the recent progress in IR research on human diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma, attempting to depict the relationships between hepatocellular carcinogenesis and the IR, and discusses the possibility of IR as a potential biomarker and therapeutic for hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence reveals the controversial role of B cells in antitumor immunity, but the underlying mechanisms have to be explored. Three latest articles published in the issue 521 of Nature in 2015 reconfirmed the puzzling topic and put forward some explanations of how B cells regulate antitumor T-cell responses both positively and negatively. This paper attempts to demonstrate that different B-cell subpopulations have distinct immunological properties and that they are involved in either antitumor responses or immunosuppression. Recent studies supporting the positive and negative roles of B cells in tumor development were summarized comprehensively. Several specific B-cell subpopulations, such as IgG(+), IgA(+), IL-10(+), and regulatory B cells, were described in detail. The mechanisms underlying the controversial B-cell effects were mainly attributed to different B-cell subpopulations, different B-cell-derived cytokines, direct B cell-T cell interaction, different cancer categories, and different malignant stages, and the immunological interaction between B cells and T cells is mediated by dendritic cells. Promising B-cell-based antitumor strategies were proposed and novel B-cell regulators were summarized to present interesting therapeutic targets. Future investigations are needed to make sure that B-cell-based pharmacological strategies benefit cancer immunotherapy substantially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents abstracts for various research papers to be presented in the European Society for Dermatological Research's symposium on September 26-28, 1997. These research papers pertain to subjects like the eortic classification for primary cutaneous lymphomas, different prognosis between cutaneous and systemic lymphoproliferative disorders, parapsoriasis and early cutaneous T cell lymphoma, immunoglobulin gene rearrangement of pseudo B-cell lymphomas and prognostic significance of polymerase chain reaction detectable dominant T lymphocyte clones.

Two recent papers published in Immunity and Cell Host & Microbe underline the great importance of B cells and of antibodies (Abs) in orchestrating crucial T helper cell type 2 (Th2) protective immune responses to gastrointestinal nematodes. The findings in animal models now raise major questions as to how B cells and Abs carry out these functions in humans. Here we discuss recent technological advances in humanizing animal models at the level of both Abs and their Fc-receptors, that might provide some answers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Short synthetic peptides are important tools in biomedical research permitting to generate hapten specific polyclonal sera for analytical purposes or functional studies. In this paper we provide proof of principle that a peptide located in a highly conserved portion of the Gag protein of the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus and carrying an immunodominant T helper cell epitope functions as an efficient carrier peptide, mediating a strong antibody response to a peptidic hapten encompassing a well-characterized B cell epitope of Env. The carrier and hapten peptides were collinearly synthesized permutating their molecular arrangement. While the antibody response to the hapten was similar for both constructs, the antibody response to a B cell epitope overlapping the T helper cell epitope of the Gag carrier peptide was considerably different. This permits a modular use of the carrier peptide to generate antibody directed exclusively to the hapten peptide or a strong humoral response to both carrier- and hapten-peptide. Finally, we have mapped the epitopes involved in this polarized antibody response and discussed the potential immunological implications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Many previous studies have described differential responses to mutagens among human lymphocyte subpopulations. However, there are some confusing data about the sensitivity to mutagens among lymphocyte subpopulations. In this paper we review the studies published to date reporting differential responses among CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, B-cells and NK-cells exposed to different mutagens, using different assay methods, such as micronuclei (MN), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). These methods are mostly used for genetic biomonitoring of human populations exposed to potential mutagens. Thus, this review may provide a reference of target cells sensitive to mutagens that will be useful for genetic biomonitoring of human populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes the histopathological features and cellular distribution of T lymphocytes (CD3), B cells (CD79), follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and macrophages (alpha-1-antitrypsin, lysozyme) in lymphoid aggregates (Kisselev nodules) found in the lung, kidney and liver of wild boar (Sus scrofa L.). The distribution of immunoreactive cells, tested for antibodies, was similar to that found in the cortex of lymph nodes: lymphoid follicles with germinal centers mainly consisting of CD79+ B cells with sparse interfollicular tissue (CD3+ T lymphocytes). This finding and the association of these structures with helminthic infections suggests that local humoral immunity is central to the organism’s response to parasitic challenge. The presence of follicular dendritic cells confirms the high degree of organization of these lymphoid-like structures. The role of other pathogenic factors and the induction of chronic inflammatory reaction in these ectopic lymphoid sites is also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

G2A is a G protein-coupled receptor that is predominantly expressed in lymphoid tissues and macrophages. G2A can be induced by diverse stimuli to cause cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase in pro-B and T cells. G2A is also expressed in macrophages within atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting G2A involvement in atherosclerosis. Recently, G2A was discovered to possess proton-sensing ability. In this paper, we report another function of G2A, that is, as a receptor for 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (9-HODE) and other oxidized free fatty acids. G2A, expressed in CHO-K1 or HEK293 cells, showed 9-HODE-induced intracellular calcium mobilization, inositol phosphate accumulation, inhibition of cAMP accumulation, [35S]guanosine 5′-3-O-(thio)triphosphate binding, and MAP kinase activation. Furthermore, G2A was activated by various oxidized derivatives of linoleic and arachidonic acids, but it was weakly activated by cholesteryl-9-HODE. Oxidized phosphatidylcholine (1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl) when hydrolyzed with phospholipase A2 also evoked intracellular calcium mobilization in G2A-expressing cells. These results indicate that G2A is activated by oxidized free fatty acids produced by oxidation and subsequent hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine or cholesteryl linoleate. Thus, G2A might have a biological role in diverse pathological conditions including atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TCL1 (T-cell leukemia 1) protooncogene is highly expressed in many human B-cell leukemias and two recent papers show that TCL1 overexpression causes rapid development of B-cell lymphomas in mice. Other recent work showing that the TCL1 protein enhances the activation of the pro-survival kinase Akt has revealed a potential mechanism underlying the development of B-cell leukemias and raised new questions about the regulation of Akt. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Occasionally, the discovery of a new molecule sheds light on an entire biological system. A good example is the discovery of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related molecule, B-cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF), known also as BLyS, TALL-1, zTNF4 or THANK. A flurry of papers from several groups, describing results from transgenic and knockout mice, animal models and human studies, has shown that BAFF is a crucial molecule involved in B-cell maturation and the development of autoimmunity. Several recent reports add to this exciting story and illustrate some of the formative stages of B-cell maturation and tolerance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A recent paper on immunity and tolerance to antigenic determinants on antibody variable-regions (idiotypes) brings back to light the potential of idiotypic interactions among antibodies, B cells and T cells in the regulation of specific immune activities. The functional significance of idiotypic regulation has been established in a variety of systems, both concerning the establishment of ‘pre-immune’ diversity repertoires as well as the clonal regulation of immune responses to foreign and self-antigens. Also, recently the requirement for ‘dominant’ regulatory mechanisms in natural tolerance has received increasing support. It might thus be fruitful to evaluate the possibility that an idiotypic network has a fundamental role in the operation of the regulatory T cells that establish and maintain self-tolerance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]