Boosting immune system against cancer by melatonin: A mechanistic viewpoint

Cancer is a disease of high complexity. Resistance to therapy is a major challenge in cancer targeted therapies. Overcoming this resistance requires a deep knowledge of the cellular interactions within tumor. Natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are the main anti-cancer immune cells, while T regulatory cells (Tregs) and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) facilitate immune escape of cancer cells. Melatonin is a natural agent with anti-cancer functions that has also been suggested as an adjuvant in combination with cancer therapy modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and tumor vaccination. One of the main effects of melatonin is regulation of immune responses against cancer cells. Melatonin has been shown to potentiate the activities of anti-cancer immune cells, as well as attenuating the activities of Tregs and CAFs. It also has a potent effect on the mitochondria, which may change immune responses against cancer. In this review, we explain the mechanisms of immune regulation by melatonin involved in its anti-cancer effects. © 2019 Elsevier Inc

TGF-β in radiotherapy: Mechanisms of tumor resistance and normal tissues injury

Emerging evidences show that changes in tumor stroma can adapt cancer cells to radiotherapy, thereby leading to a reduction in tumor response to treatment. On the other hand, radiotherapy is associated with severe reactions in normal tissues which limit the amount radiation dose received by tumor. These challenges open a window in radiobiology and radiation oncology to explore mechanisms for improving tumor response and also alleviate side effects of radiotherapy. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a well-known and multitasking cytokine that regulates a wide range of reactions and interactions within tumor and normal tissues. Within tumor microenvironment (TME), TGF-β is the most potent suppressor of immune system activity against cancer cells. This effect is mediated through stimulation of CD4+ which differentiates to T regulatory cells (Tregs), infiltration of fibroblasts and differentiation into cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and also polarization of macrophages to M2 cells. These changes lead to suppression of cytotoxic CD8 + T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells to kill cancer cells. TGF-β also plays a key role in the angiogenesis, invasion and DNA damage responses (DDR) in cancer cells. In normal tissues, TGF-β triggers the expression of a wide range of pro-oxidant and pro-fibrosis genes, leading to fibrosis, genomic instability and some other side effects. These properties of TGF-β make it a potential target to preserve normal tissues and sensitize tumor via its inhibition. In the current review, we aim to explain the mechanisms of upregulation of TGF-β and its consequences in both tumor and normal tissues. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

Targets for improving tumor response to radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is one of the most common treatment modalities for controlling a wide range of tumors. However, it has been shown that radiotherapy alone is unable to completely eradicate some tumors and could be associated with a high possibility of tumor recurrence. To date, various experimental and clinical studies have been conducted to explore some efficient targets within tumor microenvironment (TME) to enhance tumor response to radiotherapy; thus help eliminate or eradicate tumors. Although targeting DNA damage responses (DDRs) is associated with severe toxicities, studies in recent decade suggest that inhibition of some apoptosis/survival targets within TME is promising. This is also associated with changes in the numbers of T regulatory cells (Tregs) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have also shown promising results. The combination of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors with radiotherapy is interesting as well as the clinical use of some drugs and antibodies. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are the most common RTK inhibitors. Some clinical trials in recent years have shown very interesting results for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), especially programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and CTLs�associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors. It has been suggested that administration of ICIs during or after hypofractionated radiotherapy could lead to best results. In this review, we explain TME response to radiotherapy and potential targets for sensitization of cancer cells to radiotherapy. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I and II mRNA Levels in Rumen Wall of Calves Fed with Different Physical Forms of Diets

This study was designed to investigate the effects of physical forms and hay contents of diets on gene expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I and II in rumen epithelium of Holstein calves. Twelve male calves were assigned to 4 treatments: ground (GR), texturized (TX), pellet (PL), and ground+10% forage (GF). Calves were weaned on day 50 of age and then slaughtered on day 70 after birth. Rumen epithelial tissue samples were immediately collected for quantification of mRNA abundance. Results indicated that only IGF I expression was influenced by the dietary treatments. A significant (pIGF I expression and each of histological parameters denoted as length of rumen villi and diameter of keratinocyte layer was observed. No significant correlation between IGF II expression and rumen histological parameters was found (p>0.05). Regarding the results, higher 0.05). Regarding the results, higher IGF I expression in PL and TX treatments despite the low growth rate might be due to the challenging condition of developing rumen in calves. In fact, the rumen tissue attempted to maintain rumen pH at least by induction of a higher IGF I expression

TGF-β in radiotherapy: Mechanisms of tumor resistance and normal tissues injury

Emerging evidences show that changes in tumor stroma can adapt cancer cells to radiotherapy, thereby leading to a reduction in tumor response to treatment. On the other hand, radiotherapy is associated with severe reactions in normal tissues which limit the amount radiation dose received by tumor. These challenges open a window in radiobiology and radiation oncology to explore mechanisms for improving tumor response and also alleviate side effects of radiotherapy. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a well-known and multitasking cytokine that regulates a wide range of reactions and interactions within tumor and normal tissues. Within tumor microenvironment (TME), TGF-β is the most potent suppressor of immune system activity against cancer cells. This effect is mediated through stimulation of CD4+ which differentiates to T regulatory cells (Tregs), infiltration of fibroblasts and differentiation into cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and also polarization of macrophages to M2 cells. These changes lead to suppression of cytotoxic CD8 + T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells to kill cancer cells. TGF-β also plays a key role in the angiogenesis, invasion and DNA damage responses (DDR) in cancer cells. In normal tissues, TGF-β triggers the expression of a wide range of pro-oxidant and pro-fibrosis genes, leading to fibrosis, genomic instability and some other side effects. These properties of TGF-β make it a potential target to preserve normal tissues and sensitize tumor via its inhibition. In the current review, we aim to explain the mechanisms of upregulation of TGF-β and its consequences in both tumor and normal tissues. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

Mechanisms for radioprotection by melatonin; can it be used as a radiation countermeasure?

Background: Melatonin is a natural body product that has shown potent antioxidant property against various toxic agents. For more than two decades, the abilities of melatonin as a potent radioprotector against toxic effects of ionizing radiation (IR) have been proved. However, in the recent years, several studies have been conducted to illustrate how melatonin protects normal cells against IR. Studies proposed that melatonin is able to directly neutralize free radicals produced by IR, leading to the production of some low toxic products. Discussion: Moreover, melatonin affects several signaling pathways, such as inflammatory responses, antioxidant defense, DNA repair response enzymes, pro-oxidant enzymes etc. Animal studies have confirmed that melatonin is able to alleviate radiation-induced cell death via inhibiting pro-apoptosis and upregulation of anti-apoptosis genes. These properties are very interesting for clinical radiotherapy applications, as well as mitigation of radiation injury in a possible radiation disaster. An interesting property of melatonin is mitochondrial ROS targeting that has been proposed as a strategy for mitigating effects in radiosensitive organs, such as bone marrow, gastrointestinal system and lungs. However, there is a need to prove the mitigatory effects of melatonin in experimental studies. Conclusion: In this review, we aim to clarify the molecular mechanisms of radioprotective effects of melatonin, as well as possible applications as a radiation countermeasure in accidental exposure or nuclear/radiological disasters. © 2019 Bentham Science Publishers

Melatonin as an adjuvant in radiotherapy for radioprotection and radiosensitization

It is estimated that more than half of cancer patients undergo radiotherapy during the course of their treatment. Despite its beneficial therapeutic effects on tumor cells, exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation (IR) is associated with several side effects. Although improvements in radiotherapy techniques and instruments could reduce these side effects, there are still important concerns for cancer patients. For several years, scientists have been trying to modulate tumor and normal tissue responses to IR, leading to an increase in therapeutic ratio. So far, several types of radioprotectors and radiosensitizers have been investigated in experimental studies. However, high toxicity of chemical sensitizers or possible tumor protection by radioprotectors creates a doubt for their clinical applications. On the other hand, the protective effects of these radioprotectors or sensitizer effects of radiosensitizers may limit some type of cancers. Hence, the development of some radioprotectors without any protective effect on tumor cells or low toxic radiosensitizers can help improve therapeutic ratio with less side effects. Melatonin as a natural body hormone is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that shows some anti-cancer properties. It is able to neutralize different types of free radicals produced by IR or pro-oxidant enzymes which are activated following exposure to IR and plays a key role in the protection of normal tissues. In addition, melatonin has shown the ability to inhibit long-term changes in inflammatory responses at different levels, thereby ameliorating late side effects of radiotherapy. Fortunately, in contrast to classic antioxidants, some in vitro studies have revealed that melatonin has a potent anti-tumor activity when used alongside irradiation. However, the mechanisms of its radiosensitive effect remain to be elucidated. Studies suggested that the activation of pro-apoptosis gene, such as p53, changes in the metabolism of tumor cells, suppression of DNA repair responses as well as changes in biosynthesis of estrogen in breast cancer cells are involved in this process. In this review, we describe the molecular mechanisms for radioprotection and radiosensitizer effects of melatonin. Furthermore, some other proposed mechanisms that may be involved are presented. © 2018, Federación de Sociedades Españolas de Oncología (FESEO)

TRAV1-2⁺ CD8⁺ T-cells including oligoconal expansions of MAIT cells are enriched in the airways in human tuberculosis

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells typically express a TRAV1-2+ semi-invariant TCRα that enables recognition of bacterial, mycobacterial, and fungal riboflavin metabolites presented by MR1. MAIT cells are associated with immune control of bacterial and mycobacterial infections in murine models. Here, we report that a population of pro-inflammatory TRAV1-2+ CD8+ T cells are present in the airways and lungs of healthy individuals and are enriched in bronchoalveolar fluid of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). High-throughput T cell receptor analysis reveals oligoclonal expansions of canonical and donor-unique TRAV1-2+ MAIT-consistent TCRα sequences within this population. Some of these cells demonstrate MR1-restricted mycobacterial reactivity and phenotypes suggestive of MAIT cell identity. These findings demonstrate enrichment of TRAV1-2+ CD8+ T cells with MAIT or MAIT-like features in the airways during active TB and suggest a role for these cells in the human pulmonary immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Two thymus-related autoimmune disorders: a case report and review of the literature

Mirtavoos-Mahyari Hanifeh,1 Adnan Khosravi,2 Esfahani-Monfared Zahra,1 Shadmehr Mohammad Behgam31Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 2Tobacco Prevention and Control Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 3Tracheal Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranAbstract: Thymoma is the most common tumor in the anterior mediastinum. A 56-year-old man presented unremitting and periodic chronic diarrhea of 9 weeks duration, and clinical examination revealed a huge nonhomogeneous mass lesion in the right lung and leukocytosis. He was treated with CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide 1,200 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2, vincristine 1.5 mg/m2 and prednisolone 75 mg/m2 × 5 days) based on lung mass computed tomography-guided biopsy, but he was reevaluated because neither symptom improved. Surprisingly, celiac disease was documented with increased titer of immunoglobulin antibodies to gliadin and tissue transglutaminase. Lung mass rebiopsy and thymectomy demonstrated thymoma. After surgery, the patient showed aplastic anemia that responded well to cyclosporine. At 2-year follow-up, the patient’s hematologic status and diarrhea were completely recovered and no symptom and/or sign of thymoma recurrence was seen.Keywords: thymus, thymoma, celiac, aplastic anemia, autoimmune disorde