Journal of Biomed Research

A recent article published by Abbas et al. in the Journal of Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy systematically revealed about the vaccines developed against the recent pandemic agents SARS-CoV-2 and its variants [1]. The authors insightfully provided an overview on the distinct features of the SARS-CoV-2 new variants, the associated mortality rate, hospitalization, re-infection and finally the efficacy of different vaccines.

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways has revolutionized cancer treatment with significantly improved outcomes across a spectrum of cancers [1,2]. Although ICI therapy offers significant clinical benefits, these treatments can also lead to various immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that may negatively impact patient outcomes. Although the precise mechanism of irAE is not fully understood, they demonstrate many clinical features similar to autoimmune diseases. IRAEs are thought to result from bystander effects of activated T-cells, cross-reactivity between tumor and host tissues, and the role of the gut microbiome in immune activation [3].

Activating innate immune signaling in tumor cells to enhance anti-tumor immunity and increase T cell-mediated killing is the core objective of tumor immunotherapy. PRMT1, one of the most crucial PRMTs, plays a critical role in tumor progression and innate immunity. Recent research revealed that PRMT1 can inhibit the enzymatic activity of cGAS in part through PRMT1-mediated Arg methylation, thereby suppressing the anti-tumor immune response of cells. As such, inhibiting or knocking down PRMT1 can synergistically enhance the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by activating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Here, we provide a comprehensive description of the two key signaling components, PRMT1 and cGAS, in the PRMT1-cGAS-STING signaling pathway for therapeutic intervention to augment anti-tumor immunity. By understanding the specific physiological functions and regulatory mechanisms of PRMT1.

Selective antibody deficiency syndrome (SAD), is a primary immunodeficiency in which immunoglobulin levels remain normal, but there is a reduced response to polysaccharide antigens after vaccination. SAD is recognized by the International Union of Immunology Societies as a primary immunodeficiency of unknown genetic cause. Patients with SAD are highly susceptible to severe respiratory tract infections with encapsulated bacteria.

Fecal Microbiota Transfer (FMT) is a procedure that has proven to be highly effective and safe for the treatment of recurrent or refractory Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). FMT also emerges as a promising approach in other indications such as ulcerative colitis (UC) or acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD).