{"title":"Research Progress on Non-Coding RNA-Mediated Macrophage Polarization in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.","authors":"Ai Ma, Xiaofeng Li, Xiaoli Zeng, Xiaoju Liu","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2668694","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08820139.2026.2668694","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by remarkable heterogeneity. Its pathogenesis involves inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, protease-antiprotease imbalance, and immune dysregulation. Recent studies have demonstrated that macrophages, as key components of the innate immune system, play a pivotal regulatory role in COPD pathogenesis through phenotypic polarization. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) serve as critical regulatory factors that can finely orchestrate macrophage polarization and functional states through diverse mechanisms, including post-transcriptional gene silencing, chromatin remodeling, and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, thereby influencing the inflammatory processes and pathological progression of COPD.</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>This review comprehensively searched for domestic and international literature on macrophage polarization, ncRNAs, and COPD, and analyzed and summarized the relevant content. This article mainly discussed macrophage polarization in COPD, analyzed the regulatory roles of different ncRNA subtypes in macrophage M1/M2 polarization, the molecular mechanisms by which ncRNAs participate in the development and progression of COPD through regulating macrophage polarization, and evaluated the value of ncRNAs targeting macrophage polarization as potential biomarkers for COPD, as well as the prospects and challenges of ncRNA-targeted therapy for COPD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This review summarizes the current research progress on ncRNAs regulating macrophage polarization in COPD, with the aim of deepening the understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms, identifying novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis, subtyping, and prognostic assessment, reviewing ncRNA-targeted therapeutic strategies, exploring precise regulation centered on the ncRNA-macrophage polarization axis, and providing new insights for personalized diagnosis and treatment of COPD.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"1-32"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147836963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"mRNA-Based Vaccines and Immunomodulatory Strategies for Muscle Regeneration and Recovery: A Comprehensive Review.","authors":"Yunchang Yang, XiangXiang Cao, Yongdong Li, Xinyao Kang, Yuping Huang, Huigen Feng, Changchun Li","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2667884","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08820139.2026.2667884","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The convergence of vaccinology and immunotherapy with regenerative medicine provides a novel approach to therapeutic strategies for skeletal muscle repair.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This review critically examines the application of mRNA-based platforms and immunomodulatory interventions, systematically bifurcating these strategies into two distinct pathophysiological domains: acute mechanical trauma (sports injuries) and senescence-driven, chronic age-related sarcopenia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We detail how engineered mRNA can precisely control the expression of myogenic factors and immune modulators to overcome satellite cell dysfunction and inflammatory dysregulation. Furthermore, we critically evaluate current and emerging therapeutic paradigms - ranging from advanced biomaterial delivery systems to next-generation RNA platforms (e.g. circRNA and saRNA). Finally, we analyze their translational progress, the readiness of diagnostic modalities, and the profound ethical challenges of clinical integration, including the emerging threat of 'gene doping.'</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This comprehensive reference bridges microscopic molecular insights with macroscopic clinical practice for researchers in immunology, sports medicine, and geriatrics.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The STING-Inflammasome Axis: Coordinated Immune Regulation and Therapeutic Potential Across Diverse Diseases.","authors":"Yu Chen, BingXiao Zhang, ChenGuang Wang, WenFeng Gou, YiLiang Li, WenBin Hou, FeiFei Xu","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2659339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/08820139.2026.2659339","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway and inflammasomes were long regarded as distinct innate immune modules that respond to different classes of danger signals. However, accumulating evidence now reveals extensive, bidirectional crosstalk between these pathways, forming an integrated regulatory network that critically shapes the magnitude, quality, and outcome of immune responses. The balance of this network determines whether the host mounts effective pathogen control and tumor immunosurveillance, or instead succumbs to excessive inflammation, tissue injury, or autoimmune pathology.</p><p><strong>Results and discussion: </strong>In this review, we synthesize current mechanistic understanding of STING-inflammasome interactions, highlighting how shared upstream triggers - particularly cytosolic DNA - coordinate the activation, amplification, or restraint of these pathways. We further examine how this axis exerts context-dependent, dualistic functions across diverse disease settings, including cancer, autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, chronic infection, and aging. From a pharmacological perspective, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating key regulatory nodes within this signaling network, ranging from STING agonists for cancer immunotherapy to selective STING or the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inhibitors for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Together, these insights provide a conceptual and translational foundation for the rational development of next-generation immunomodulatory agents targeting the STING-inflammasome axis.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Immune Checkpoints in Sepsis and the Path Toward Precision Immunotherapy.","authors":"Bilal Abbas, Arshad Abbas, Iqbal Nawaz Khan","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2644292","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2644292","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objective: </strong>Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with immune dysfunction serving as a central driver of adverse outcomes. While early hyperinflammation contributes to organ damage, subsequent immunoparalysis characterized by T-cell exhaustion, monocyte deactivation, and impaired pathogen clearance accounts for late deaths and susceptibility to secondary infections. Immune checkpoint molecules have emerged as critical mediators of sepsis-induced immunosuppression.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We reviewed current literature on inhibitory checkpoint pathways including PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, LAG-3, TIGIT, and BTLA in sepsis-induced immune dysfunction. Cell-type-specific expression patterns, dual protective and pathological roles of checkpoint signaling depending on timing and tissue context, and convergence with metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming sustaining immunoparalysis were analyzed. Myeloid checkpoints such as CD47-SIRPα and MerTK contributing to innate immune dysfunction were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Checkpoint molecules exhibit context-dependent roles with protective and pathological effects varying by timing and tissue microenvironment. Monocyte HLA-DR and ferritin were identified as actionable biomarkers for patient phenotyping. The ImmunoSep trial provides proof-of-concept evidence demonstrating improved outcomes with phenotype-guided immunotherapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Successful translation of checkpoint-based immunotherapies requires precision medicine frameworks matching the right intervention to the right patient at the right time. Combination immunotherapies hold promise when guided by biomarker-driven stratification.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"774-802"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147456982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Immunosuppressive Pulse Therapy Alleviates Ocular Surface Damage in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy by Reversing FGA Deficiency Subsequently Modulating Complement and Coagulation Cascade Signaling to Suppress Orbital Fibroblast Pathology.","authors":"Xiaoqing Zhou, Qian Sha","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2627932","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2627932","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO)is a common autoimmune inflammatory disorder that compromises visual function and quality of life. It is characterized by orbital tissue inflammation and ocular surface injury. Although immunosuppressive pulse therapy has shown clinical efficacy, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Tear samples were collected from 30 healthy controls and 30 patients with TAO before and after immunosuppressive pulse therapy. Proteomic profiling was performed using label-free quantitative liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and key proteins involved in FGA expression and complement-coagulation cascade signaling were validated by ELISA. Primary orbital fibroblasts (OFs) were isolated from TAO patients and subjected to FGA overexpression and immunosuppressant treatment. Fibrosis and adipogenic differentiation were assessed using a multidimensional approach, including CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, Oil Red O staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Immunosuppressive pulse therapy significantly alleviates ocular surface injury in TAO patients, primarily through FGA-mediated regulation of the complement and coagulation cascade pathway. Our findings identify FGA as a promising therapeutic target in TAO. Restoration of FGA expression synergizes with immunosuppressive therapy, highlighting a potential combinatory treatment strategy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>FGA represents a potential therapeutic target for TAO. Enhancing FGA expression may augment the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapythrough synergistic modulationof inflammatory and fibrotic pathways.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial number: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"697-717"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147305468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Na Qu, Meng Zhang, Yating Ji, Mingxia Liu, Mengjiao Liu, Lijiang Chen
{"title":"The STING Signaling Pathway in Prostate Cancer: Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Therapeutic Strategies.","authors":"Na Qu, Meng Zhang, Yating Ji, Mingxia Liu, Mengjiao Liu, Lijiang Chen","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2025.2590048","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08820139.2025.2590048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignancy in men globally. The cGAS-STING pathway shows promise in its treatment as it can enhance anti-tumor immunity and promote immunogenic cell death. However, the tumor microenvironment, with factors like immunosuppressive cells and gene regulatory factors, limits the efficacy of STING pathway activation.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This review aims to systematically summarize the recent progress in targeting the cGAS-STING pathway for the treatment of prostate cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We first introduce the core mechanisms of STING signaling, and then explore its specific role in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer. We analyze the key factors in the TME that limit STING activation, such as immunosuppressive cells and epigenetic regulators. In addition, we summarize the current strategies targeting STING, including STING agonists, combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and radiotherapy-based approaches.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our analysis concludes that targeting the cGAS-STING pathway holds significant potential to overcome therapy resistance and improve outcomes in prostate cancer, although further research is needed to optimize its clinical application.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"803-832"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147528567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Progress of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in Gastric Cancer.","authors":"Fei Li, Wenjing Gong, Aina Liu","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2622357","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2622357","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), also known as ectopic lymphoid aggregates, have been increasingly recognized as important components of the tumor microenvironment. In gastric cancer, the presence, composition, size, density, and maturity of TLSs may significantly influence treatment response and patient prognosis.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This review aims to summarize the formation of TLSs and evaluate their potential roles as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in gastric cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comprehensive review of current literature was conducted to analyze the biological characteristics, formation mechanisms, and clinical relevance of TLSs in gastric cancer.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Evidence suggests that TLSs are closely associated with improved immune responses, better therapeutic outcomes, and favorable prognosis in gastric cancer. Their structural features and maturation status may further modulate their functional roles in antitumor immunity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TLSs represent promising prognostic indicators and potential targets for immunotherapy in gastric cancer. However, several challenges remain, and further research is needed to better understand their mechanisms and clinical applications, ultimately contributing to improved survival and quality of life in patients with advanced gastric cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"833-851"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147581286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Unleashing the Potential of Anti-CD45RB Antibodies in Transplantation.","authors":"Yanling Zhang, Nan Li, Yachao Li","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2622359","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2622359","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Organ transplantation faces challenges of chronic rejection and infection due to immunosuppression. Inducing long-term immune tolerance is a key goal, with anti-CD45RB antibody being a studied target for decades.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This review examines its mechanisms-modulating T cells (e.g.promoting Tregs), B cells, and cytokines-and efficacy across transplantation models (e.g.pancreatic, cardiac, cutaneous), including combination therapies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Efficacy varies by model: monotherapy induced tolerance in certain islet transplants but not skin grafts. Combination with agents like anti-CD40L or rapamycin significantly prolonged graft survival (e.g.to 100% in heart transplants). Dosage, timing, and recipient immune status influence outcomes, with Treg involvement as a common mechanism.</p><p><strong>Future directions: </strong>Further research should explore synergies with clinical immunosuppressants and mechanisms in large animal xenografts to advance clinical translation.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"852-871"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146113218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tiitus Lamponen, Joonatan Mattila, Nelli Heikkilä, Silja Sormunen, Jari Saramäki, T Petteri Arstila
{"title":"Differences in Shared T Cell receptor α Repertoire Associated with Recognition of Viral Antigens.","authors":"Tiitus Lamponen, Joonatan Mattila, Nelli Heikkilä, Silja Sormunen, Jari Saramäki, T Petteri Arstila","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2644288","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2644288","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite the high diversity of the αβ T cell receptor (TCR), sharing of identical TCR chains between individuals is common. This shared repertoire consists mainly of chains with few non-germline nucleotide additions. Many of these chains recognize conserved viral peptides, but it is unclear whether the number of nucleotide additions is similar regardless of specificity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We studied shared human TCR α chains associated with the recognition of viral antigens. The chains were retrieved from published databases. In sets of 6 thymus and 10 blood samples we identified these chains and analyzed their frequency and properties in the pre-immune and peripheral repertoire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>For all but one virus, the identified TCR α sequences conformed to the conventional public repertoire, with a high frequency of germline rearrangements and few nucleotide additions. Surprisingly, TCR α sequences associated with Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) displayed a bimodal division, with one group of sequences having a high number of inserts, while the other group was close to germline.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results identify a novel type of shared TCR repertoire, likely to be generated by selection instead of convergent recombination. Whether this reflects features exclusive to the immune response against HSV-2 remains to be studied.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"718-733"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147463243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhenzhen Chen, Yanyan Jiang, Hua Zhang, Xiaona An, Yuzhu Zhang, Lei Wei
{"title":"Propofol Exerted an Anti-Asthmatic Effect by Attenuating Extracellular Matrix Deposition and Viability of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells.","authors":"Zhenzhen Chen, Yanyan Jiang, Hua Zhang, Xiaona An, Yuzhu Zhang, Lei Wei","doi":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2644290","DOIUrl":"10.1080/08820139.2026.2644290","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Propofol is the preferred anaesthetic for asthma patients due to its bronchodilatory effects, yet its protective mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated its effects both in vivo and in vitro.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An asthmatic mouse model was induced using ovalbumin (OVA). Airway responsiveness, lung histopathology, and inflammatory biomarkers (IgE, IL-4, IFN-γ) were assessed. TGF-β1-stimulated airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells were used for proliferation, migration, and apoptosis assays via MTT, Transwell, and flow cytometry. ECM production was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The SAPK/JNK signaling pathway was evaluated by western blot.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Propofol dose-dependently attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness and lung histological damage in OVA-induced asthmatic mice, while reversing abnormal inflammatory biomarker expression. In vitro, propofol inhibited ASM cell proliferation and migration and promoted apoptosis. It also suppressed ECM synthesis and restored TIMP-1 expression to rebalance ECM homeostasis. Mechanistically, propofol inhibited SAPK/JNK pathway activation in both in vivo and in vitro models.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying Propofol's protective effects, providing a foundation for its potential therapeutic use in asthma treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":13387,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Investigations","volume":" ","pages":"734-749"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147467900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}