Current status of the immunology of blood and tissue protozoa. I. Leishmania

This study reviews recent (1969–1973) advances in our knowledge of the immunology of cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis, with special emphasis on immunodiagnosis, on host (human and animal analog) reactions to leishmania, on new approaches to the molecular taxonomy of leishmania, and on the seroepidemiology of leishmanial disease.     

Current status of immunology research in India

Rudimentary studies on aspects of biochemistry in India date back to 1927. But, in the field of Immunology, such studies were started by scholars only during early 1970s at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Science and Technology was not an immediate priority until 1961 due to domestic and political conditions in the country. We were then 11 years old since independence and our focus was on economic and social developments. Gradually, improvements were made in the field and now we have 15 to 20 major groups (small in size) of immunologists in the country, who have made significant contribution in the field during the last 8 to 10 years. Hence, we anticipate improvements in manpower and infrastructure in the near future.     

Current research status of immunology in the genomic era

This review updates the current status of immunology research under the influence of genomics, both conceptually and technologically. It particularly highlights the advantages of employing the high-throughput and large-scale technology, the large genomic database, and bioinformatic power in the immunology research. The fast development in the fields of basic immunology, clinical immunology (tumor and infectious immunology) and vaccine designing is illustrated with respect to the successful usage of genomic strategy. We also speculate the future research directions of immunology in the era of genomics and post-genomics. Supported by the National High-Tech Research and Development Program of China (Grant No.2006AA02A252), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.30771965) and Shanghai Pujiang Program (Grant No.07pj14066).     

血液制品的现状与展望

血液制品特指血浆蛋白制品和相应的重组制品。根据临床应用的效能,血液制品可以分为白蛋白类、免疫球蛋白类、凝血因子类和微量蛋白制品等不同种类。血浆白蛋白制品是最早应用于战伤救治的血液制品,高纯白蛋白、重组白蛋白以及重组白蛋白融合药物的研发和上市开创了血液制品的新局面。肌肉注射用免疫球蛋白因其制备工艺相对简单,使用方便,价格低廉且不良反应可以接受而一直在临床实践中应用;静脉注射用免疫球蛋白随着新的适应症不断发现,其应用范围越来越广;皮下注射用免疫球蛋白的出现使免疫球蛋白的使用更加方便,已经成为静脉注射用免疫球蛋白安全有效的替代品;针对特定病原体的特异性免疫球蛋白在临床上更具有不可替代的作用。凝血因子和重组凝血因子类制品主要用于相应的先天性遗传性缺陷患者,纤维蛋白原、因子Ⅶ、因子Ⅷ、von Willebrand因子复合物、因子Ⅸ和凝血酶原复合物、因子Ⅺ、因子ⅩⅢ等制品的应用取得了良好的治疗效果。因子Ⅶa和活化凝血酶原复合物对于治疗产生凝血因子抑制物的血友病病人具有十分明显的效果。纤维蛋白原类制品和凝血酶在外科止血方面发挥着重要的作用。多种微量血浆蛋白制品已经上市,如蛋白C、抗凝血酶、α1-抗胰蛋白酶和组织纤溶酶原激活剂等。部分微量血浆蛋白制品也在研发和临床试验过程中,如C1-抑制剂、补体系统Ⅰ因子、α2-巨球蛋白、血清胆碱酯酶、铜蓝蛋白以及纤维结合蛋白等。尽管多种重组血浆蛋白制品已经上市,血浆来源的制品仍将具有其不可替代的特殊地位,血浆蛋白新品种的研发仍是热点。目前,我国血液制品的研发与国外存在着较大的差距,我国血液制品企业面临着机遇与挑战。     

Current status of proteomics of soft tissue sarcomas

Introduction: Proteomics has been used in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) research in the attempts to improve the understanding of the disease background and develop novel clinical applications. Using various proteomics modalities, aberrant regulations of numerous intriguing proteins were identified in STSs, and the possible utilities of identified proteins as biomarkers or therapeutic targets have been explored. STS is an exceptionally diverse group of malignant diseases with highly complex molecular backgrounds and, therefore, an overview of the achievements and prospects of STS proteomics could enhance our knowledge of the possibilities and limitations of cancer proteomics.

Areas covered: This review examines all STSs that have been examined using proteomics modalities, discussing unique aspects, limitations, and possible improvements of individual reports. To contribute to the current progress in cancer treatment development using novel anti-cancer drugs, proteomics plays a central role in linking cutting-edge technologies, application of proteogenomics, patient-derived cancer models, and biobanking system.

Expert commentary: Therefore, proteomic-based STS research will be developed as an interdisciplinary science. STS proteomics will be further developed based on the interaction of oncologists with basic researchers in various fields, aimed at obtaining an enhanced understanding of the biology of the disease and achieving superior clinical outcomes for patients.     

The birth of immunology. II. Metchnikoff and his critics

The presentation of the phagocytic theory of immunity, proposed by Metchnikoff in 1883, was immediately attacked by German pathologists and microbiologists. Led by Baumgarten and Ziegler, criticism was levied against the hypothesis in three general respects: 1) Can an analogy truly be established between leukocyte phagocytosis and feeding of monocellular organisms? 2) What is compelling about the phagocytic process as a universal defensive activity? 3) General philosophic objections were raised, centered upon the accusation of a teleologic formulation. Underlying the argument was the rejection of the notion that the response of phagocytic leukocytes was truly causal in the successful response to infection. We note that the humoral school of immunity was not established until 1888-1890, and the early debate between Metchnikoff and his detractors was not over an alternative theory of an active immune response. There was none. With the development of the humoralist position, in direct response to Metchnikoff's formulation, a true dialogue about immunity, in the modern context of active host response, was initiated. The debate at this point changed to issues of mechanism (cellular versus humoral effectors), and the relative importance of defining innate versus acquired immune processes. Our study traces the scientific and logical basis of the initial rejection of the phagocytosis theory. More broadly, the analysis of this debate elucidates the emergence of a new concept of immunity that rested upon the notion of an active host response. The humoralists erected their theory on Metchnikoff's original scaffold, and the ensuing debate of the nascent science relied on the successful establishment of his basic concept. With the studies of Bordet, Metchnikoff's protégé, the essential resolution of the acrimonious debate was offered. Metchnikoff continued his research by attempting to apply the phagocytosis theory to mechanisms of senility, while immunology oriented itself toward the biochemical definition of immune recognition.     

Aspartic proteases of Plasmodium falciparum and other parasitic protozoa as drug targets

All parasitic protozoa contain multiple proteases, some of which are attracting attention as drug targets. Aspartic proteases are already the targets of some clinically useful drugs (e.g. chemotherapy of HIV infection) and a variety of factors make these enzymes appealing to those seeking novel antiparasite therapies. This review provides a critical analysis of the current knowledge on Plasmodium aspartic proteases termed plasmepsins, proposes a definitive nomenclature for this group of enzymes, and compares these enzymes with aspartic proteases of humans and other parasitic protozoa. The present status of attempts to obtain specific inhibitors of the parasite enzymes that will be useful as drugs is outlined and suggestions for future research priorities are proposed.     

Neonatal immunology and cord blood transplantation

The increased susceptibility of human newborns to infections is usually ascribed to the immaturity of the neonatal immune system. The neonatal immune system has never met microbial antigens, and thus the repertoire of its adaptative arm (T and B cells) is entirely pre-immune, or "na?ve". However this neonatal pre-immune repertoire is similar to the adult pre-immune repertoire, and cord blood natural killer cells studies show that the innate immunity cells harbor the full killing machinery that characterize mature cells. Moreover, human neonates are able to show an adult-like allogeneic response. Taken together, several lines of evidence suggest that the neonatal immune system, although na?ve, is fully mature. However, newborns display phenotypic and functional differences with adults in both adaptative and innate arms. Specific properties may explain these differences, as high number of regulatory T cells, low plasmacytoid dendritic cell response to stimuli and high IL-10 production. These properties are in line with the high susceptibility of newborns to infections and the low incidence of graft-versus-host-disease after cord blood transplantation. To explain these differences, we introduce a new model. Although naive, the neonatal immune system is mature, and these functional differences are due to a message originating from the placenta and aimed at inducing the foetus tolerance to its mother. Full understanding of the involved mechanisms will help to protect the newborn against infections and to improve cord blood transplantation outcome.