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Research Article
TLR8 and TLR7/8 Activations Induce Tissue-specific Natural Killer Cell Gene Expressions in Rag1 Mutant Zebrafish Liver, Kidney, and Spleen
Preeti Judith Muire
,
Lora Petrie-Hanson*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
42-51
Received:
5 June 2025
Accepted:
18 June 2025
Published:
23 July 2025
Abstract: TLR ligands Resiquimod (TLR7/8) and Motolimod (TLR8) are used to activate NK cells and enhance immune defenses. This study reports the differential gene expressions of innate immune markers and Natural Killer (NK) cell lysins in rag1 mutant (rag MT) zebrafish to TLR8 and TLR7/8 activation in liver, kidney, and spleen tissues. Rag MT zebrafish were intracoelomically injected with Motolimod (VTX), Resiquimod (R848), or control saline. Gene expressions of interferon gamma (ifnγ), T-box transcription factor 21 (t-bet), novel immune type receptor 9 (nitr9), and NK lysins a, b, c, and d (nkla, nklb, nklc, nkld) were quantified at 6-, 12-, and 24-hours post-injection using quantitative PCR. We observed that the effects of TLR7/8 and TLR8 stimulation vary depending on the tissue type. R848 significantly upregulated ifnγ, t-bet, nitr9, and NK lysins across various tissues. In contrast, VTX had a more limited effect and primarily influenced nklc and nkld in the kidney and spleen, and nkld in the liver, suggesting tissue-specific responsiveness to TLR8. No significant changes in ifnγ or nkla expression were noted with VTX in any tissues, highlighting the specificity of TLR7 over TLR8 in these responses. Tissue-specific responses revealed dominant activation by TLR7/8 in the liver, particularly influencing ifnγ, t-bet, nitr9, nklb, and nklc. The kidney had high responsiveness to both TLR7/8 and TLR8. The spleen demonstrated broad gene activation by TLR7/8, but only nklc and nkld were significantly upregulated by TLR8. These findings demonstrate that TLR8 has selective effects, while TLR7/8 more broadly activates genes across the liver, kidney, and spleen in rag MT zebrafish. These NK cell gene expression findings suggest exposure to TLR7/8 and TLR8 ligands elicited differential effects across liver, kidney, and spleen tissues of rag MT zebrafish.
Abstract: TLR ligands Resiquimod (TLR7/8) and Motolimod (TLR8) are used to activate NK cells and enhance immune defenses. This study reports the differential gene expressions of innate immune markers and Natural Killer (NK) cell lysins in rag1 mutant (rag MT) zebrafish to TLR8 and TLR7/8 activation in liver, kidney, and spleen tissues. Rag MT zebrafish were ...
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Review Article
Bacterial Microbial Defense Systems: From CRISPR-Cas Mechanisms to Emerging Anti-Phage Strategies
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
52-58
Received:
28 April 2025
Accepted:
21 May 2025
Published:
7 August 2025
Abstract: Microorganisms inhabit diverse and often hostile environments, necessitating sophisticated defense mechanisms to survive predation, viral attacks, and competitive pressures. This delves into the array of defense systems employed by bacteria and archaea, highlighting recent research findings and their implications for microbial ecology and biotechnology. Microbial defense systems are essential for protecting organisms against invasive genetic elements such as plasmids and bacteriophages. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of both classical and emerging microbial immune mechanisms. It begins with foundational systems, such as restriction-modification (R-M) and the adaptive CRISPR-Cas systems, and then transitions to recently characterized defense systems, including DISARM, Gabija, and CBASS. The molecular components, mechanisms of action, and evolutionary significance of each system are thoroughly explored. Additionally, the chapter discusses the broader ecological roles of these systems and their potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. By integrating established frameworks with cutting-edge discoveries, this chapter presents a current and cohesive overview of the rapidly evolving field of microbial immune defense.
Abstract: Microorganisms inhabit diverse and often hostile environments, necessitating sophisticated defense mechanisms to survive predation, viral attacks, and competitive pressures. This delves into the array of defense systems employed by bacteria and archaea, highlighting recent research findings and their implications for microbial ecology and biotechno...
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Research Article
Immunological and Cytokine Profiles in the Pathogenesis of Uterine Leiomyomas Among Nigerian Women: A Case-control Study
Patricia Ejenawome Dele-Ochie,
Dorcas Ometere Aliyu,
Fidelis Ohiremen Oyakhire*,
Babatunde Ishola Gabriel Adejumo,
Kelly Iria Esezobor,
Samson Efenarhua,
Juliana Edusola Olaniyan,
Emmanuel Onosetale Afeikhena,
Adolphus Osakpolor Ogbebor,
Aigbokhan Akhere Caleb,
Eboselume Osamudiamen Joshua,
Vani Onotinamhe Usman-Onoruvie,
Grace Eleojo Obasuyi,
Blessing Emosho Ogeyemhe
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
59-66
Received:
27 June 2025
Accepted:
14 July 2025
Published:
19 August 2025
Abstract: Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive tract, with a notably high prevalence among women of African descent. While traditionally linked to hormonal factors, recent evidence implicates immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation in their pathogenesis. This case-control study assessed serum cytokine and immunoglobulin profiles in 400 Nigerian women aged 20-50 years, including 300 with ultrasound-confirmed fibroids and 100 age-matched controls. Serum levels of IL-1α (interleukin-1α), IL-1β (interleukin-1β), IL-6 (interleukin-6, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α), IgA (immunoglobulin A), IgG (immunoglobulin G), and IgM (immunoglobulin M) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and nephelometry, analyzed in relation to BMI, parity, and ethnicity. Data were analyzed by SPSS (IBM version 26.0) with significance set at p < 0.05. Results showed significantly elevated IL-1β and IL-6 (P<0.01 and P<0.001) and significantly reduced IL-1α and TNF-α (P<0.01 and P<0.001) among women with fibroids, indicating a cytokine environment conducive to inflammation and fibrosis. IgM). levels were significantly reduced (P<0.005), suggesting impaired humoral immunity, while IgG), was mildly elevated. Ethnic subgroup analysis revealed higher IgA levels among Isoko women (P<0.001). Body mass index (BMI) and parity showed no significant effects, although some non-significant trends were observed. The findings support the role of immune dysregulation in fibroid development and highlight potential biomarkers and immune-based therapeutic targets, especially relevant for African populations disproportionately affected by fibroids.
Abstract: Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive tract, with a notably high prevalence among women of African descent. While traditionally linked to hormonal factors, recent evidence implicates immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation in their pathogenesis. This case-control study assessed serum cytoki...
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Research Article
Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Reporting in Urban and Rural Bangladesh
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
67-76
Received:
23 July 2025
Accepted:
4 August 2025
Published:
21 August 2025
Abstract: Complete reporting and management of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) helps maintain the quality of vaccine delivery and monitor vaccine safety. We assessed AEFI reporting of Bangladesh with neighboring and high resource countries and also between rural and urban providers in Bangladesh. We calculated AEFI rates per 100,000 injectable vaccine doses from national vaccination program (2010-2014) between urban and rural providers using a z-test for two proportions. Non-abscess AEFI rates were used to assess reporting differences, while abscess rates indicated vaccine delivery quality. We compared Bangladesh’s AEFI data with reports from neighboring and high-resource countries. Of 97,620,629 reported vaccine doses, 8,003 AEFIs were recorded; 4,763 (60%) were non-abscess AEFIs, and 3,240 (40%) were abscesses. AEFIs were most frequently reported for pentavalent (12/100,000 doses), followed by BCG (6/100,000), and measles-rubella (3/100,000) vaccines. Non-abscess AEFI rates were higher in rural (5.3/100,000 doses) than urban areas (2.3/100,000 doses, p<0.001), while abscess AEFI rates were higher across all vaccines in rural areas (3.5/100,000 doses vs 2.3/100,000 doses, p<0.001). Overall reported AEFI rates (pentavalent: 7.6/100,000, BCG: 1.7/100,000, MR: 2.6/100,000) were lower than in other countries. Low rates in both urban and rural area of nonabscess AEFI compared with expected rates inherent for each vaccine suggested underreporting of AEFIs in Bangladesh. Despite likely underreporting of AEFIs, abscess AEFI rates were higher than several other countries, suggesting attention should be focused not only on the reporting of AEFIs, but also on the quality of vaccine delivery in Bangladesh, particularly in urban areas.
Abstract: Complete reporting and management of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) helps maintain the quality of vaccine delivery and monitor vaccine safety. We assessed AEFI reporting of Bangladesh with neighboring and high resource countries and also between rural and urban providers in Bangladesh. We calculated AEFI rates per 100,000 injectable ...
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