Graphical Abstract: TGF-β signaling targeting miRNAs that were differentially expressed in naive CD4 T cells of MS patients exacerbate CNS inflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). These miRNAs caused a reduction of nTregs in neonatal mice, a reduced TCR repertoire in Tregs in mice with EAE, and increased inflammatory CD4 T cells. Abstract Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling is essential for a balanced immune response by mediating the development and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppressing autoreactive T cells. Disruption of this balance ca ..read more

Abstract For many years complement activation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was viewed as a major cause of tissue injury. However, human and murine studies showed that complement plays a protective as well as a proinflammatory role in tissue damage. A hierarchy is apparent with early classical pathway components, particularly C1q, exerting the greatest influence. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the protective function(s) of complement remains an important challenge for the future and has implications for the use of complement therapy in SLE. We review recent advances in the fie ..read more

Cell-mediated immunity and humoral response appeared as essential in the protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed a whole-blood Interferon-gamma release assay alongside anti-RBD-IgG quantification in a population of immunocompetent healthcare workers followed longitudinally. We report that implementing T-cell response monitoring offers additional insights to delineate a more comprehensive individual immune profile. Abstract Objectives In the post-SARS-CoV-2 pandemic era, “breakthrough infections” are still documented, due to variants of concerns (VoCs) emergence and waning humor ..read more

Vitamin C exerts pleiotropic effects on the immune system. It modulates T-cell activation and differentiation in vitro but is also effective upon high-dose application in vivo. We review the diverse activities of vitamin C with a special focus on γδ T cells. Abstract Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a potent antioxidant and a cofactor for various enzymes including histone demethylases and methylcytosine dioxygenases. Vitamin C also exerts direct cytotoxicity toward selected tumor cells including colorectal carcinoma. Moreover, vitamin C has been shown to impact immune cell differentiation at var ..read more

European Journal of Immunology, Volume 54, Issue 4, April 2024 ..read more

Our cover features images related to flow cytometry techniques widely used for analysis of function and phenotypes of major human and murine immune cell subsets, superimposed on a multidimensional immune cell population scatter plot. These images are taken from the third edition of EJI's Flow Cytometry Guidelines (Cossarizza et al. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eji.202170126), a comprehensive resource prepared by flow cytometry and immunology research experts from around the world ..read more

European Journal of Immunology, Volume 54, Issue 4, April 2024 ..read more

When exposed to Vitamin A, NK cells change their transcriptome, phenotype, and metabolism. Vitamin A curtails NK-cell IFN-γ production via IL-18R-mTOR-cMyc-IKbζ pathway. Furthermore, vitamin A-treated NK cells support the differentiation and proliferation of FoxP3-expressing regulatory T and Th17 cells. Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphocytes that contribute to immune responses against stressed, transformed, or infected cells. NK cell effector functions are regulated by microenvironmental factors, including cytokines, metabolites, and nutrients. Vitamin A is an es ..read more

We investigated if macrophage polarization regulates phagocytosis of cancer cells in response to CD47 blockade in vitro. Using flow cytometry-based and fluorescence live-cell imaging-based phagocytosis assays, we observed that proinflammatory polarization with IFN-γ+LPS upregulated multiple phagocytosis checkpoints and impaired human monocyte-derived macrophage phagocytosis of cancer cells. Figure created with BioRender.com. Abstract Antibody-based CD47 blockade aims to activate macrophage phagocytosis of tumor cells. However, macrophages possess a high degree of phenotype heterogeneity that ..read more

In chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients, thrombi are classified as fresh thrombi (FT) or organized thrombi (OT), based on the degree of fibrosis and remodeling. Our immune multiplex staining revealed a shift from unpolarized to M2 macrophages in OT, offering insights into dynamic macrophage biology in CTEPH. Abstract Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a debilitating disease characterized by thrombotic occlusion of pulmonary arteries and vasculopathy, leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance and progressive right-sided heart failure. T ..read more