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What is Gut Inflammation? The gut, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a long tube that starts from the mouth and extends to the anus. It includes various organs such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum, responsible for digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste. The gut plays a vital role in our overall health. However, inflammation can occur within the gut, leading to various inflammatory diseases. Gut inflammation is an immune response triggered by factors such as infections or autoimmune reactions. This immune response releases molecules that cause inflammation, resulting in tissue damage. Conditions …

Exploring the realm of B cells, this piece delves into the intricacies of these white blood cells, pivotal in humoral immunity. Through the lens of CD markers and immunophenotyping, we unravel the diversity of B cells, their antibody production, and their profound impact on immune responses. Key Takeaways: B cells, vital in adaptive immunity, are characterized by CD markers and immunophenotyping, crucial for understanding their heterogeneity and immune roles. Immunophenotyping, using flow cytometry, identifies B cell subsets through CD markers, essential for studying B cell development, activation, and disease associations. CD markers on B cells vary across differe …

Exploring the multifaceted role of dendritic cells in immune function and disease. Key Takeaways DCs are professional antigen-presenting cells that capture, process, and present antigens. They activate T cells and regulate immune responses by producing cytokines. DC markers help distinguish them from other cells. Different DC subtypes exist, each with unique functions. DCs play a vital role in immune surveillance and maintaining self-tolerance. They are involved in autoimmune diseases and cancer, both as protective and harmful factors. DCs have a crucial role in the development and regulation of immune responses. What is a Dendritic Cell? Dendrit …

In the field of immunology and biomedical research, antibodies play a crucial role in identifying and targeting foreign substances in the body. However, not all antibodies are the same. In this blog, we will explore the key differences between polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, examining their production, characteristics, and implications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and research. Key Takeaways Antibodies are essential in identifying and targeting foreign substances, with specificity governed by the lock-and-key mechanism. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, derived from a single cell clone, and utilized in targeted therapies and diagnostics. Polyclonal anti …

Discover the critical role of cytokines as signaling molecules in immune responses, their functions, and the impact of their dysregulation, including cytokine storms. Key Takeaways: Cytokines are crucial immune system proteins regulating immune responses. Dysregulated cytokines can lead to cytokine storms, causing severe immune reactions. Cytokine storms are treated with immunosuppressives and are common in severe infections like COVID-19. Prevention includes vaccination and managing underlying health conditions. What are Cytokines? Cytokines are a diverse group of small proteins that serve as key signaling molecules in the immune system. Produced by various cells …

Delving into TNF alpha's critical role in inflammation and its therapeutic targeting. Key Takeaways: TNF alpha is a crucial cytokine in inflammation and apoptosis. Its structure facilitates interaction with TNF receptors, influencing immune responses. Elevated TNF alpha levels are linked to various inflammatory diseases. TNF alpha activates distinct pathways through TNFR1 and TNFR2, impacting cell function. Its involvement in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis highlights its clinical significance. Therapeutic targeting of TNF alpha offers potential in treating inflammatory conditions and cancer. What is TNF alpha? Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) i …

Enhancing Cancer Research: Syngeneic Mouse Models and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors A quick guide to Syngeneic Mouse Models Syngeneic Mouse Models Cancer research has seen remarkable advancements in recent years, largely due to the development of novel therapeutic approaches such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Among the various preclinical models used in cancer research, syngeneic mouse models have emerged as indispensable tools for studying the tumor microenvironment and evaluating immunotherapeutic strategies. In this article, we will delve into the significance of syngeneic mouse models in cancer research, particularly focusing on their role in the study o …

ILC2 - Function, Cytokines, and Role in Health and Disease A quick guide to IL2C Our immune system is composed of various types of cells that work together to protect us from harmful pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. One type of immune cell that has recently gained attention is the innate lymphoid cell type 2 (ILC2). ILC2s are a type of white blood cell that play a critical role in protecting us against infections and allergies. In this article, we will explore what ILC2s …

Nod-like receptors Nod like receptors (NLRs) are a versatile family of relatively recently discovered intracellular receptors which have a broad range of functions in humans, ranging from the regulation of antigen presentation and modulation of inflammation to embryonic development and sensing cellular metabolic changes (Motta et al 2015). Evolutionarily, NLRs are well conserved and orthologs are found across much of the animal kingdom (Lange et al 2011). The NLR family in humans is relatively diverse, comprising of 22 members with specific functions dependent on ligand specificity and effector functions, each determined by individu …

T Cell Types, Activation, Polarization & Function A comprehensive guide to T cells! window.SHOGUN_IMAGE_ELEMENTS = window.SHOGUN_IMAGE_ELEMENTS || new Array(); window.SHOGUN_IMAGE_ELEMENTS.push({ uuid: 's-97bbabca-f192-454c-a1c7-98716f6875bf' }) Introduction T-cells, vital components of the immune system, encompass various functions and types, including cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, and regulatory T cells. Their activation and polarization play critical roles in immune responses. Understanding T-cell biology is essential for effective immune defense and therapeutic applications. Key Takeaways T-cells have d …

Mouse monoclonal antibodies are a valuable tool in the biomedical field. They can be used for a variety of applications, from research to clinical diagnostics. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of mouse monoclonal antibody production, including its protocol and application. The major difference between monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibodies is that monoclonal antibodies can have a single-specificity, meaning they only bind to the same epitope while polyclonal antibodies can bind to multiple epitopes and are generally synthesized by several different plasma cell lineages. Bispecific monoclonal antibodies can also be developed by wedging two epitopes from …

What is CD52? Cluster Of Differentiation 52 (CD52) is a highly expressed membrane glycoprotein which is present on the surface of immune cells such as lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and dendritic cells. The proliferation of CD52 markers enables researchers to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells in the medical field. The peptide length of CD52 is 12 amino acid which is anchored to glycosylphosphatidylinositol. As a result of its negative charge researchers believe this molecule has an anti-adhesion function, allowing cells to migrate freely. It is known that CD52 binds with the immunoreceptor tyrosine based inhibitory …

What is CD31? CD31, also known as PECAM-1, was originally described as a cell surface antigen present on platelets and megakaryocytes. CD31 is a member of transmembrane glycoproteins expressed on cells of all lineages within the vascular system. CD31 antigen belongs to PECAM proteins that are now recognized as belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily because they contain large numbers of extracellular immunoglobulin domains with conserved C2-type calcium binding sites. Where is CD31 expressed and what does it bind to? CD31 is expressed on CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, CD14+ monocyt …

What are MHC Class I molecules? The MHC class I is a glycoprotein that is expressed on all nucleated cells of the human body. MHC class I are important in disease defense against viruses, bacteria, parasites and neoplasms. MHC class I facilitates the presentation of peptides of 8-10 amino acids in length to cytotoxic T cells. MHC class I has two transmembrane proteins, HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C. MHC class I is produced in MHC class I gene clusters. MHC class I are encoded by HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C. Key Takeaways MHC Class I molecules present peptides to cytotoxic T cells and are found on all nucleated cells. MHC Class II molecules are crucial for antigen presentation …

Antibodies are a special class of Y shaped proteins that help guard your body from invading viruses and bacteria. They do this by either neutralizing the dangerous substance or marking it for destruction. Five classes of antibodies There are five antibody types called IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE and IgD. Each antibody type is made up of two heavy chains and two light chains also known as an 'immunoglobulin'. Every antibody has a unique tip on its end known as the paratope which contains the key to fighting against invaders which could be a virus or bacterium. The middle section of the antibody is called the constant region which att …

Antigen's are foreign molecules recognised by the immune system. Antigens can be protein, carbohydrate, lipid or nucleic acid molecules. Examples include viruses and bacteria as well as fragments of human cells such as those infected by a virus or damaged by radiation or oxidants. Antigens also include artificial substances such as drugs and other xenobiotics (chemicals not normally capable of being taken up by living systems). Antigens are associated with different types of MHC molecule on the surface of cells which allows them to be identified by T lymphocytes. Antibodies are Y shaped molecules than bind Antigens Antibodies are Y shaped prot …

Interleukin signaling is involved in a number of biological processes, including cell growth and differentiation, inflammation and immunity. Interleukins are glycoproteins which act on hematopoietic cells to regulate immune responses or target cells for destruction by the immune system. Interleukins mediate communication between cells through a complex network of receptors. Interleukin receptors are members of a large family of cell surface molecules called cytokine receptors. Interleukins bind to the receptor and cause it to dimerize with another interleukin receptor, which in turn stimulates activity within the target cells. Interleukins play a major role in host defense against …

Chemokines are highly conserved cytokines that control the movement of cells around the body. All 45 members of the chemokine family can be divided into 4 subfamilies depending on their structure and presence of cysteine motifs (the CC chemokines, CXC CX3C and XC) and are recognised by chemokine receptors, G-protein coupled receptors with 7 transmembrane domains predominantly found on the surface of leukocytes. Upon binding of the chemokine to a cognate chemokine receptor, the receptor undergoes a conformational change exposing the highly conserved DRYLAIV domain. The exposed motif binds to neighbouring G-proteins, kick-starting a signal transduction cascade which will ulti …

ST2, a member of the IL-1R Subfamily ST2 is a member of the IL-1R subfamily and was identified in 1989 [1]. The ST2 gene is located on chromosome 2q12 in humans and contains 13 introns and spans 40 kilobases (kb). In humans three splice variants exist, ST2L, sST2 and ST2V (Figure 1a). ST2L is a transmembrane bound receptor and as such specifically belongs to the Toll/IL-1R (TIR) superfamily and shows homology to the intracellular domain of IL-1R1 [2]. sST2 is a soluble protein with no transmembrane sequence, it is excreted extracellularly and binds to IL-33. Both ST2L and sST2 contain three identical Ig extracellular domains, although …

By Dr. Niclas Thomas “Data science” is a recent addition to the vocabulary of analytics, and can mean many different things to different people. As far as I am concerned, it is a fashionable term used to define the intersection of advanced analytical techniques from statistics, mathematics, machine learning and programming. The complexity of each of these fields can make them seem inaccessible to most biomedical researchers, who themselves have broad, complex fields of research to understand and may therefore have little time left to dedicate to emerging fields like data science. I started my career as a mathematician and took the bold step o …

Background I am a 3rd year PhD student in Trinity College Dublin and my project is very much an interdisciplinary one. I’m very lucky to get to work between two great labs, Dr. Aisling Dunne’s Molecular Immunology lab and Professor Danny Kelly’s Musculoskeletal engineering lab. My research focuses on osteoarthritis which involves damage to both the upper protective layer of cartilage and underlying bone. Unfortunately, the only real function restoring treatment option for patients is to undergo a total joint replacement surgery. However, the materials currently used in these orthopaedic implants are highly potent drivers of inflammation and often these implants loosen and fail due …

You are only part human. In some ways, you are as much bacteria as you are mammal, and in some ways bacteria make up far more of you than your own familiar cells and genes! It is becoming increasingly apparent that the microbes that live inside you, in your gut and on your skin, have a large bearing on how likely you are to become ill, how much weight you carry and even your day-to-day mood. These effects are a result of communication between these microbes and the cells that live in close contact with them, a series of interactive processes we are just beginning to understand. A huge proportion of your microbial passengers live in your gut, and it is here that a vital interactio …

The Immune System The immune system is a host defence system comprising many biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease. In order to function well, the immune system must detect a wide variety of agents, known as pathogens which can range from viruses to parasitic worms, and must have the ability to distinguish them from the host's healthy tissue. In most species the immune system consists of an innate and an adaptive immune response. The innate immune response is stimulated when a pathogen successfully enters the host. It is the first line of defence and is required for the elimination of t …

The Complement System Function Gone are the days when the complement system was considered solely a companion of its impressive adaptive immune system counterpart. Research in recent decades has demonstrated that complement cascade components play intricate roles in processes spanning from traditional innate defence to angiogenesis, bone metabolism and neural development. These ultimately homeostatic activities demonstrate that the complement system as a whole adopts a key role in immune surveillance (Ricklin et al., 2010; Reis et al., 2018). What was once thought to be a single protein responsible for enhancing antibody-mediated lysis of target ce …