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The normal human microbiota, formerly called the "microbial flora," consists of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites that colonise the skin and mucous membranes of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts. The number and diversity of microorganisms varies between different body niches and is greatest in the intestinal tract. The microbiota contributes to the homeostasis of the human organism by preventing colonisation by pathogenic microorganisms, participating in digestive processes and metabolism, and regulating immune functions. Various environmental and genetic factors can lead to an imbalance in the human microbiota, called dysbiosis, which can affect human health. Dysbiosis is usually the result of decreased microbial diversity and a lower number of saprophytic microorganisms, followed by an overgrowth of opportunistic species. The most common diseases directly related to intestinal dysbiosis are antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and pseudomembranous colitis, both of which are associated with the excessive growth of harmful bacteria and Clostridioides difficile following broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. Dysbiosis is associated with various health conditions or diseases such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases and allergies, neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and stroke, depression, anxiety, infertility, preterm birth, and malignancies.

Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) are organized aggregates of immune cells such as T cells, B cells, and Dendritic Cells (DCs), as well as fibroblasts, formed postnatally in response to signals from cytokines and chemokines. Central to the function of TLS are DCs, professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that coordinate the adaptive immune response, and which can be classified into different subsets, with specific functions, and markers. In this article, we review current data on the contribution of different DC subsets to TLS function in cancer and autoimmunity, two opposite sides of the immune response. Different DC subsets can be found in different tumor types, correlating with cancer prognosis. Moreover, DCs are also present in TLS found in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, contributing to disease development. Broadly, the presence of DCs in TLS appears to be associated with favorable clinical outcomes in cancer while in autoimmune pathologies these cells are associated with unfavorable prognosis. Therefore, it is important to analyze the complex functions of DCs within TLS in order to enhance our fundamental understanding of immune regulation but also as a possible route to create innovative clinical interventions designed for the specific needs of patients with diverse pathological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The novel pyrazoloquinolinone ligand CW-02-79 shows a unique profile of selective binding to σ2 receptors, but its poor solubility in both water and lipids makes its research and development a burdensome task. We aimed to develop a phospholipid-complex-based nanoemulsion formulation containing CW-02-79 suitable for intravenous administration in preclinical research. Methods: The decorated and undecorated nanoemulsions were formulated and subjected to detailed physiochemical characterization. The delivery and exposure to CW-02-79 from selected nanoemulsions were examined in the in vitro blood–brain barrier model based on human-induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived microvascular endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes, and in vivo neuropharmacokinetic study in rats, respectively. Results: The developed biocompatible nanoemulsions loaded with a CW-02-79—phospholipid complex at a mass ratio of 1:10 exhibited a small droplet size and narrow size distribution, with satisfactory physicochemical stability during steam sterilization and short-term storage at 25 °C. The analysis of protein binding interactions revealed that the PEGylated nanoemulsions had fewer observable interactions compared to the undecorated nanoemulsions, especially when 0.2% DSPE-PEG2000 and 0.1% DSPE-PEG2000-mannose were combined. An in vitro BBB study demonstrated that a substantial part of CW-02-79 present in the applied nanoemulsion is able to permeate the barrier. The quantification of CW-02-79 in plasma/brain homogenate and calculated pharmacokinetic parameters confirmed good systemic and brain availability after intravenous administration. There were subtle differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters in favor of a dual surface-functionalized nanoemulson containing the glucose transporter-1-targeting ligand (mannose). Conclusions: The developed and characterized nanoemulsions enable substantial brain exposure to CW-02-79 as a prerequisite for a pharmacologically and clinically relevant selective modulation of σ2 receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) are organized aggregates of immune cells such as T cells, B cells, and Dendritic Cells (DCs), as well as fibroblasts, formed postnatally in response to signals from cytokines and chemokines. Central to the function of TLS are DCs, professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that coordinate the adaptive immune response, and which can be classified into different subsets, with specific functions, and markers. In this article, we review current data on the contribution of different DC subsets to TLS function in cancer and autoimmunity, two opposite sides of the immune response. Different DC subsets can be found in different tumor types, correlating with cancer prognosis. Moreover, DCs are also present in TLS found in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, contributing to disease development. Broadly, the presence of DCs in TLS appears to be associated with favorable clinical outcomes in cancer while in autoimmune pathologies these cells are associated with unfavorable prognosis. Therefore, it is important to analyze the complex functions of DCs within TLS in order to enhance our fundamental understanding of immune regulation but also as a possible route to create innovative clinical interventions designed for the specific needs of patients with diverse pathological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The use of medicinal traditional plants and plant-derived compounds in the treatment of inflammatory states, including rheumatoid arthritis, is gaining attention due to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties and fewer side effects compared to conventional drugs. The current study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the Mediterranean plant Teucrium montanum L. on collagen-induced arthritis in rats, in an in vivo animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. The effect of the Teucrium montanum extract was evaluated by examining the cellular and molecular components of innate and adaptive immunity that have been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of both rheumatoid arthritis and collagen-induced arthritis. The Teucrium montanum extract alleviated the clinical manifestation and improved the histopathological findings of arthritis in CIA. The extract improved the anti-/pro-oxidative balance in serum, suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in affected joints, and suppressed the T cell responses in secondary lymphoid organs and the production of autoantibodies. Our results suggest the anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory properties of Teucrium montanum extract and represent a basis for the further exploration of the possible therapeutic use of the extract or its compound/s. The anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory effects of Teucrium montanum L. (TM), a plant distributed in the Mediterranean region, have been insufficiently examined. The effects of the TM ethanol extract were tested in a rat collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model of rheumatoid arthritis. LC-MS was used for the phytochemical analysis of the TM extract. Dark Agouti rats were immunized with bovine type II collagen (CII) in incomplete Freund's adjuvant for CIA, and treated with 100 or 200 mg/kg of TM extract daily via oral administration. Clinical and histopathological evaluations and a flow cytometric analysis of the phenotypic and functional characteristics of splenocytes and draining lymph node cells were performed. The cytokines in the paw tissue culture supernatants and anti-CII antibodies in serum were determined by ELISA. The TM extract, with the dominant components verbascoside and luteolin 7-O-rutinoside, reduced the arthritic score and ankle joint inflammation in CIA rats, promoted the antioxidant profile in serum, and lowered pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β production. It suppressed the activation status of CD11b+ cells by lowering CD86, MHCII and TLR-4 expression, and promoted the Th17/T regulatory cell (Tregs) balance towards Tregs. A lower frequency of B cells was accompanied by a lower level of anti-CII antibodies in treated rats. These findings imply the favorable effect of TM extract on the clinical presentation of CIA, suggesting its anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory action and potential therapeutic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis encompass those with elderly-onset disease, over 60 years of age, but also those with earlier disease onset who entered old age. Considering the age-related changes of the immune system, possible frailty, susceptibility to infection and concomitant comorbidity that implies multiple medicines, the treatment of these diseases in elderly patients can be challenging. Interleukin inhibitors have been shown to be an efficient and safe treatment for these diseases. However, elderly patients with these diseases were often included in the pivotal clinical trials for interleukin inhibitors in numbers insufficient to determine whether they responded differently from younger subjects. The aim of this paper was to review the findings on the efficacy and safety of interleukin inhibitor treatment in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis. The findings suggest that, for all the interleukin inhibitors reviewed herein, used in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis, or with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the efficacy was comparable to younger patients. Furthermore, the incidence of reported adverse events was similar in these two age groups. Severe adverse events, which were related to sarilumab treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and secukinumab treatment for psoriasis, were higher in elderly patients. The reviewed findings suggest that the interleukin inhibitors approved and currently in use in clinical practice for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis can be considered a safe and efficient option for these diseases in elderly patients.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a is a proinflammatory cytokine with a role in immunity to pathogens, as well as in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. Biological drugs targeting this cytokine and inhibiting its effects are designed. Until today, five TNF-a inhibitors are approved: infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab (monoclonal antibodies), certolizumab pegol (pegylated antigen-binding fragment of immunoglobulin), and etanercept [TNF receptor type 2-fragment crystallizable (Fc) of immunoglobulin fusion protein]. Their approved biosimilars are on the market, too. They are mainly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. Although TNF-a inhibitors are present in clinical practice for more than two decades and are established as an efficacious therapeutics, researchers are still occupied by revealing the complex mechanisms of their action. Namely, in addition to binding and neutralisation of soluble TNF-a, these drugs also bind/block transmembrane form of TNF-a (tmTNF-a), trigger diverse intracellular signals in tmTNF-a positive cells (a process named "reverse signalling") or, if they have an Fc fragment, mediate killing of tmTNF-a-expressing cells by other immune cells or the complement system. Also, TNF-a inhibitors that contain Fc portion of the IgG antibody may affect Fc receptor-expressing cells and have an effector function quite independent of their TNF-a neutralisation capacity.

Extended lifespan and increasing number of the elderly (>65 years) worldwide carries the challenges for the public health system, as this is the population particularly susceptible to infectious diseases. One way to prevent these diseases is vaccination. In order to improve the quality of life of the elderly, to reduce complications, hospitalizations and mortality, many European countries and the United States recommend the vaccination of the elderly with the influenza vaccine, vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and booster vaccination against tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria. The reason for the greater susceptibility to infectious diseases, and lower efficacy of vaccines in the elderly, are age-associated changes of the immune system. In most European countries seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for the individuals over 65 years of age. Its efficacy is lower in the elderly than in adults, so strategies are being developed to overcome these problems (including adjuvants in the formulation, increasing the antigen dose, changing the route of immunization, development of vector-based vaccines). Polysaccharide and conjugated vaccines are available against S. pneumoniae, but data regarding their efficacy are inconsistent. The VZV vaccine is an attenuated, live vaccine and has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia. Raising awareness of the importance of vaccination in the elderly and the development of vaccines tailored for this population is of great importance for the preservation of their health.

This correction notice from the journal "Frontiers in Immunology" addresses an error in the Funding statement of an article on the role of dendritic cells in tertiary lymphoid structures. The correction clarifies that the funding support mentioned should refer to "Horizon Europe" instead of the EU Framework Program Horizon 2020. The authors acknowledge the mistake and assure that it does not impact the scientific conclusions of the article. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The study was undertaken to assess the influence of functional -308G /A TNF-α (rs 1800629) and -174G/C IL-6 (rs1800795) promoter polymorphisms on the therapeutic response to etanercept, a TNF-α blocker, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Seventy-three patients suffering from active RA were studied, at baseline and 6 and 12 months after therapy. The therapeutic response was estimated according to the European League Against Rheumatism response criteria. Patients were genotyped for -308G /A TNF-α and -174G/C IL-6 polymorphisms by the PCR-RFLP method, and the influence of genotype on etanercept response was assessed. Results: No difference in the percentage of responders (patients who had DAS28 improvement > 1.2) between patients with the TNF-α -308GG and GA and AA genotype was detected after 6 and 12 months of treatment. After 12 months of treatment the percentage of responders was significantly increased in patients with the IL-6 -174GG genotype compared with those with the GC or CC genotype (p=0.006 by Chi-square test). Evaluation of the patients according to their combined IL-6/TNF-α genotypes showed that patients with the IL-6 -174GG / TNF-α -308GG genotype were more frequent among the responders compared to those with other combined genotypes (p=0.022 by Chisquare test). More precisely, all patients with the combined IL-6 -174GG / TNF-α -308GG genotype were responders after 12 months of etanercept treatment. Conclusions: The study suggests that patients who are genetically low TNF-α and IL-6 producers are the best responders to etanercept therapy.

Background. Dendritic cells (DC) have been used for immunotherapy of malignant tumors, different kinds of infections, and other clinical conditions. For that purpose, optimal conditions for the generation of functionally mature DC in vitro are required. Two different protocols for the induction of maturation of monocyte-derived DC (MDDC) were compared in this study. Methods. MDDC were generated in vitro by cultivating adherent monocytes of healthy volunteers with granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) during 6-days period. The immature DC thus prepared were induced to mature using two protocols. DC were stimulated for 2 days with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or with a cocktail of proinflammatory mediators (PM) containing IL-1b, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), respectively. Phenotypic characteristics of MDDC and their endocytic activity were studied by flow cytometry. Allostimulatory activity of these cells was tested in the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR), whereas the production of cytokines was determined by ELISA kits. Results. MDDC matured with PM (PM-DC) were predominantly non-adherent cells, while about 30% of LPS-matured DC were adherent cells. In comparison with LPS-DC, PM-DC expressed higher levels of CD86 and CD83, had lower endocytic activity, produced higher levels of IL-10 and lower levels of IL-12, and more strongly stimulated proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes. Conclusion The protocol based on the combination of proinflammatory cytokines and PGE2 is better for the induction of maturation of human MDDC in vitro than the protocol using LPS alone.