{"title":"Targeting Bottlenecks in Malaria Transmission: Antibody-Epitope Descriptions Guide the Design of Next-Generation Biomedical Interventions","authors":"Randy Yoo, Matthijs M. Jore, Jean-Philippe Julien","doi":"10.1111/imr.70001","DOIUrl":"10.1111/imr.70001","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Malaria continues to pose a significant burden to global health. Thus, a strong need exists for the development of a diverse panel of intervention strategies and modalities to combat malaria and achieve elimination and eradication goals. Deploying interventions that target bottlenecks in the transmission life cycle of the causative agent of malaria, <i>Plasmodium</i> parasites, is an attractive strategy. The development of highly potent antibody-based biologics, including vaccines, can be greatly facilitated by an in-depth molecular understanding of antibody-epitope interactions. Here, we provide an overview of structurally characterized antibodies targeting lead vaccine candidates expressed during the bottlenecks of the <i>Plasmodium</i> life cycle which include the pre-erythrocytic and sexual stages. The repeat region of the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), domain 1 of Pfs230 and domains 1 and 3 of Pfs48/45 are critical <i>Plasmodium</i> regions targeted by the most potent antibodies at the two bottlenecks of transmission, with other promising targets emerging and requiring further characterization.</p>","PeriodicalId":178,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Reviews","volume":"330 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/imr.70001","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143187807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inflammasome Activation by RNA Respiratory Viruses: Mechanisms, Viral Manipulation, and Therapeutic Insights","authors":"Tamara S. Rodrigues, Dario S. Zamboni","doi":"10.1111/imr.70003","DOIUrl":"10.1111/imr.70003","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are pathogens responsible for lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. Upon infection, these viruses are recognized by pattern recognition receptors, leading to the activation of inflammasomes, which are essential for mediating inflammatory responses. This review discusses the mechanisms by which these RNA respiratory viruses activate inflammasomes, emphasizing the roles of various signaling pathways and components involved in this process. Additionally, we highlight the specific interactions between viral proteins and inflammasome sensors, elucidating how these viruses manipulate the host immune response to facilitate infection. Understanding the dynamics of inflammasome activation in response to respiratory viruses provides critical insights for developing immunomodulatory therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating inflammation and improving outcomes in respiratory tract infections.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":178,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Reviews","volume":"330 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143072956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"LAG Time in the Era of Immunotherapy—New Molecular Insights Into the Immunosuppression Mechanism of Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3","authors":"Vincent C. Luca","doi":"10.1111/imr.70002","DOIUrl":"10.1111/imr.70002","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The immune checkpoint receptor lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3) inhibits T-cell activation and was recently validated as a target for cancer immunotherapy. Despite its emergence as a therapeutic target, a lack of molecular-level insight has obscured our understanding of the LAG3 immunosuppression mechanism. This review highlights a series of breakthroughs that have illuminated fundamental aspects of LAG3 molecular biology. Key discoveries include structural insights into LAG3 interactions with ligands and antibodies, mechanistic studies of LAG3 interference with T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, and the development of novel therapeutics. A particular focus is placed on structure–function relationships for LAG3-targeting drugs, as it has become apparent that several distinct approaches to LAG3 antagonism are viable. In addition to LAG3 antagonists, agonistic LAG3 antibodies and immunostimulatory LAG3 extracellular domains (ECDs) are discussed in the context of current structural and mechanistic data. Collectively, these findings should provide an updated landscape for the design of optimal LAG3-based therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune diseases.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":178,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Reviews","volume":"330 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143062237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mackenzie K. Woolls, Madeline D. Mott, Cassandra S. Poole, Julia A. Gregory, Hannah M. Ivester, Irving Coy Allen
{"title":"Innate Immunity Never “NODs” Off: NLRs Regulate the Host Anti-Viral Immune Response","authors":"Mackenzie K. Woolls, Madeline D. Mott, Cassandra S. Poole, Julia A. Gregory, Hannah M. Ivester, Irving Coy Allen","doi":"10.1111/imr.13429","DOIUrl":"10.1111/imr.13429","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A robust innate immune response is essential in combating viral pathogens. However, it is equally critical to quell overzealous immune signaling to limit collateral damage and enable inflammation resolution. Pattern recognition receptors are critical regulators of these processes. The cytosolic nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat (NLR; NOD-like receptor) family of pattern recognition receptors plays essential roles in the sensing of viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns and is best characterized for itsr pro-inflammatory biological functions. Specifically, these include the formation of multi-protein complexes, defined as inflammasomes or NODosomes that regulate the production of IL-1beta, IL-18, and pyroptosis, or the induction of NF-ΚB signaling. While these biological effects are inherently pro-inflammatory, it is also important to recognize that other NLR family members conversely function to negatively regulate inflammation through modulating signaling initiated by other families of pattern recognition receptors. Mechanistically, these unique NLRs also form multiprotein complexes that act to attenuate a variety of biological signaling pathways, such as the inhibition of NF-ΚB. This inhibition facilitates inflammation resolution and functions to restore cellular homeostasis. Despite extensive characterization of individual NLR family members, the mechanisms of immune system regulation are highly nuanced and remain enigmatic. This is especially true for non-inflammasome-forming, regulatory NLRs. Here, we discuss recent findings associated with NLR family members that play essential roles in the host immune response to viruses and mechanisms by which these pattern recognition receptors may function to regulate antiviral immunity.</p>","PeriodicalId":178,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Reviews","volume":"330 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11776368/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143057444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Know Your ABCs: Discovery, Differentiation, and Targeting of T-Bet+ B Cells","authors":"Gary M. Winslow, Russell Levack","doi":"10.1111/imr.13440","DOIUrl":"10.1111/imr.13440","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Since their first description in 2008, T-bet+ B cells have emerged as a clinically important B cell subset. Now commonly known as ABCs (Age-associated B Cells), they are uniquely characterized by their expression of the transcription factor T-bet. Indeed, this singular factor defines this B cell subset. This review will describe the discovery of T-bet+ B cells, their role in bacterial infection as T cell-independent (TI) plasmablasts, as well as long-term follicular helper T cell-dependent (TD) IgM+ and switched memory cells (i.e., T-bet+ ABCs), and later discoveries of their role(s) in diverse immunological responses. These studies highlight a critical, although limited, role of T-bet in IgG2a class switching, a function central to the cells' role in immunity and autoimmunity. Given their association with autoimmunity, pharmacological targeting is an attractive strategy for reducing or eliminating the B cells. T-bet+ ABCs express a number of characteristic cell surface markers, including CD11c, CD11b, CD73, and the adenosine 2a receptor (A2aR). Accordingly, A2aR agonist administration effectively targeted T-bet+ ABCs in vivo. Moreover, agonist treatment of lupus-prone mice reduced autoantibodies and disease symptoms. This latter work highlights the potential therapeutic use of adenosine agonists for treating autoimmune diseases involving T-bet+ ABCs.</p>","PeriodicalId":178,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Reviews","volume":"330 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11754996/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143021366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
George I. Gray, P. Chukwunalu Chukwuma, Bassant Eldaly, W. W. J. Gihan Perera, Chad A. Brambley, Tatiana J. Rosales, Brian M. Baker
{"title":"The Evolving T Cell Receptor Recognition Code: The Rules Are More Like Guidelines","authors":"George I. Gray, P. Chukwunalu Chukwuma, Bassant Eldaly, W. W. J. Gihan Perera, Chad A. Brambley, Tatiana J. Rosales, Brian M. Baker","doi":"10.1111/imr.13439","DOIUrl":"10.1111/imr.13439","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>αβ T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of peptide–MHC complexes lies at the core of adaptive immunity, balancing specificity and cross-reactivity to facilitate effective antigen discrimination. Early structural studies established basic frameworks helpful for understanding and contextualizing TCR recognition and features such as peptide specificity and MHC restriction. However, the growing TCR structural database and studies launched from structural work continue to reveal exceptions to common assumptions and simplifications derived from earlier work. Here we explore our evolving understanding of TCR recognition, illustrating how structural and biophysical investigations regularly uncover complex phenomena that push against paradigms and expand our understanding of how TCRs bind to and discriminate between peptide/MHC complexes. We discuss the implications of these findings for basic, translational, and predictive immunology, including the challenges in accounting for the inherent adaptability, flexibility, and occasional biophysical sloppiness that characterize TCR recognition.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":178,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Reviews","volume":"329 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142968962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Allosteric Changes Underlie the Outside-In Transmission of Activatory Signals in the TCR","authors":"Balbino Alarcon, Wolfgang W. Schamel","doi":"10.1111/imr.13438","DOIUrl":"10.1111/imr.13438","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Rather than being contained in a single polypeptide, and unlike receptor tyrosine kinases, the T cell receptor (TCR) divides its signaling functions among its subunits: TCRα/β bind the extracellular ligand, an antigenic peptide–MHC complex (pMHC), and the CD3 subunits (CD3γ, CD3δ, CD3ε, and CD3ζ) transmit this information to the cytoplasm. How information about the quality of pMHC binding outside is transmitted to the cytoplasm remains a matter of debate. In this review, we compile data generated using a wide variety of experimental systems indicating that TCR engagement by an appropriate pMHC triggers allosteric changes transmitted from the ligand-binding loops in the TCRα and TCRβ subunits to the cytoplasmic tails of the CD3 subunits. We summarize how pMHC and stimulatory antibody binding to TCR ectodomains induces the exposure of a polyproline sequence in the CD3ε cytoplasmic tail for binding to the Nck adapter, the exposure of the RK motif in CD3ε for recruiting the Lck tyrosine kinase, and the induced exposure and phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in all the CD3 cytoplasmic tails. We also review the yet incipient data that help elucidate the structural basis of the Active and Resting conformations of the TCR.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":178,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Reviews","volume":"329 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142925938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"MAP Kinase Signaling at the Crossroads of Inflammasome Activation","authors":"Alex Vervaeke, Mohamed Lamkanfi","doi":"10.1111/imr.13436","DOIUrl":"10.1111/imr.13436","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Inflammasomes are crucial mediators of both antimicrobial host defense and inflammatory pathology, requiring stringent regulation at multiple levels. This review explores the pivotal role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in modulating inflammasome activation through various regulatory mechanisms. We detail recent advances in understanding MAPK-mediated regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome priming, licensing and activation, with emphasis on MAPK-induced activator protein-1 (AP-1) signaling in NLRP3 priming, ERK1 and JNK in NLRP3 licensing, and TAK1 in connecting death receptor signaling to NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, we discuss novel insights into MAPK signaling in human NLRP1 inflammasome activation, focusing on the MAP3K member ZAKα as a key kinase linking ribosomal stress to inflammasome activation. Lastly, we review recent work elucidating how <i>Bacillus anthracis</i> lethal toxin (LeTx) manipulates host MAPK signaling to induce macrophage apoptosis as an immune evasion strategy, and the counteraction of this effect through genotype-specific Nlrp1b inflammasome activation in certain rodent strains.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":178,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Reviews","volume":"329 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142925940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Geraldine M. Gillespie, Max N. Quastel, Andrew J. McMichael
{"title":"HLA-E: Immune Receptor Functional Mechanisms Revealed by Structural Studies","authors":"Geraldine M. Gillespie, Max N. Quastel, Andrew J. McMichael","doi":"10.1111/imr.13434","DOIUrl":"10.1111/imr.13434","url":null,"abstract":"<p>HLA-E is a nonclassical, nonpolymorphic, class Ib HLA molecule. Its primary function is to present a conserved nonamer peptide, termed VL9, derived from the signal sequence of classical MHC molecules to the NKG2x-CD94 receptors on NK cells and a subset of T lymphocytes. These receptors regulate the function of NK cells, and the importance of this role, which is conserved across mammalian species, probably accounts for the lack of genetic polymorphism. A second minor function is to present other, weaker binding, pathogen-derived peptides to T lymphocytes. Most of these peptides bind suboptimally to HLA-E, but this binding appears to be enabled by the relative stability of peptide-free, but receptive, HLA-E-β2m complexes. This, in turn, may favor nonclassical antigen processing that may be associated with bacteria infected cells. This review explores how the structure of HLA-E, bound to different peptides and then to NKG2-CD94 or T-cell receptors, relates to HLA-E cell biology and immunology. A detailed understanding of this molecule could open up opportunities for development of universal T-cell and NK-cell-based immunotherapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":178,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Reviews","volume":"329 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11698700/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142925939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Winnie L. Kan, Claire M. Weekley, Tracy L. Nero, Timothy R. Hercus, Kwok Ho Yip, Damon J. Tumes, Joanna M. Woodcock, David M. Ross, Daniel Thomas, David Terán, Catherine M. Owczarek, Nora W. Liu, Luciano G. Martelotto, Jose M. Polo, Harshita Pant, Denis Tvorogov, Angel F. Lopez, Michael W. Parker
{"title":"The β Common Cytokine Receptor Family Reveals New Functional Paradigms From Structural Complexities","authors":"Winnie L. Kan, Claire M. Weekley, Tracy L. Nero, Timothy R. Hercus, Kwok Ho Yip, Damon J. Tumes, Joanna M. Woodcock, David M. Ross, Daniel Thomas, David Terán, Catherine M. Owczarek, Nora W. Liu, Luciano G. Martelotto, Jose M. Polo, Harshita Pant, Denis Tvorogov, Angel F. Lopez, Michael W. Parker","doi":"10.1111/imr.13430","DOIUrl":"10.1111/imr.13430","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cytokines are small proteins that are critical for controlling the growth and activity of hematopoietic cells by binding to cell surface receptors and transmitting signals across membranes. The β common (βc) cytokine receptor family, consisting of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin (IL)-3, and IL-5 cytokine receptors, is an architype of the heterodimeric cytokine receptor systems. We now know that signaling by cytokine receptors is not always an “all or none” phenomenon. Subtle alterations of the cytokine:receptor complex can result in differential or selective signaling and underpin a variety of diseases including chronic inflammatory conditions and cancers. Structural biology techniques, such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy alongside cell biology studies, are providing detailed insights into cytokine receptor signaling. Recently, we found that the IL-3 receptor ternary complex forms higher-order assemblies, like those found earlier for the GM-CSF receptor, and demonstrated that functionally distinct biological signals arise from different IL-3 receptor oligomeric assemblies. As we enhance our understanding of the structural nuances of cytokine–receptor interactions, we foresee a new era of theranostics whereby structurally guided mechanism-based manipulation of cytokine signaling through rational/targeted protein engineering will harness the full potential of cytokine biology for precision medicine.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":178,"journal":{"name":"Immunological Reviews","volume":"329 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142918830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}