Anastasia Vylegzhanina^1,2, Irina Shalaginova^2,*, Dana Korolevich¹, Dmitry Katserov¹, Alexandra Semenova¹, Maria Sidorova¹, Sergey Eresko³, Marat Airapetov³, Marina Pavlova², Anna Levina², Natalia Dyuzhikova²

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 2007-2031, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.071198 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Objectives: Chronic stress can trigger neuroinflammation and gut microbiota alterations, contributing to post-stress disorders. Individual differences in stress responses, shaped by genetic and physiological factors, require better characterization. We aimed to investigate the long-term effects of chronic stress in rats selectively bred for high and low nervous system excitability. Methods: Adult male rats from two strains selectively bred for high (HT) and low (LT) excitability thresholds of the nervous system underwent a 15-day chronic emotional-pain stress protocol. Behavioral assessments (elevated plus maze), cytokine levels (TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10) in the hippocampus and amygdala measured by… More >

Ya-Yi Chen^1,2, Tzu-Ting Chen³, Ya-Hsuan Chao⁴, Wen-Ho Chuo⁵, Chieh-Shan Wu^6,7, Ruo-Han Tseng^8,*, Chieh-Chen Huang^9,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.9, pp. 1733-1748, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.067011 - 25 September 2025

Abstract Objectives: Professional antigen-presenting cells known as dendritic cells (DCs) assist as a connection between the innate and adaptive components of the immune response. DCs are attractive targets for immunomodulatory drugs because of their crucial function in triggering immunity. This study set out to examine, for the first time, how hibifolin affected mouse bone-marrow derived (BMDCs) dendritic cells, triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. Additionally, a mouse model of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) was used to assess its possible therapeutic effects in vivo. Methods: LPS was administered to BMDCs with or without hibifolin. Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II,… More >

Alexander Blagov^1,*, Michael Bukrinsky², Aleksandra Utkina³, Gulalek Babayeva⁴, Vasily Sukhorukov¹, Alexander Orekhov⁵

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.7, pp. 1125-1140, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062821 - 25 July 2025

Abstract Eosinophils are multifunctional granulocytes that contribute to the initiation and modulation of inflammation. Accumulating evidence suggests that eosinophils are adaptable leukocytes that orchestrate the resolution of inflammatory responses. The most prevalent chronic inflammatory illness, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is typified by persistent synovitis that makes it hard for the disease to go away on its own. Interestingly, a unique subset of eosinophils known as regulatory eosinophils has been found in RA patients’ synovium, especially while the disease is in remission. Pro-resolving signatures of regulatory eosinophils in the synovium are distinct from those of their lung counterparts. More >

Shira Cohen Rubin^1,*, Nadav Zacks¹, Ori Wand², Ophir Freund³, Evgeni Gershman³, Anna Breslavsky², Rotem Givoli-Vilensky¹, Anat Tzurel Ferber², Natalya Bilenko^1,4, Amir Bar-Shai³

European Cytokine Network, Vol.35, No.1, pp. 13-19, 2024, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2024.0494

Abstract COVID-19 vaccination and acute infection result in cellular and humoral immune responses with various degrees of protection. While most studies have addressed the difference in humoral response between vaccination and acute infection, studies on the cellular response are scarce. We aimed to evaluate differences in immune response among vaccinated patients versus those who had recovered from COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study in a tertiary medical centre. The vaccinated group included health care workers, who had received a second dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine 30 days ago. The recovered group included adults… More >

Yan Li^1,2,3,#, Jimin Zhang^1,2,3,#, Xiaoyan Liu⁴, Kumar Ganesan⁵, Guixiu Shi^1,2,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.35, No.1, pp. 1-12, 2024, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2024.0496

Abstract Primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder that affects various systems in the body, resulting in symptoms such as dry eyes and mouth, pain, and fatigue. Inflammation plays a critical role in pSS and its associated complications, with chronic inflammation being a common occurrence in patients with pSS. This review of the literature highlights inflammatory markers that could serve as indicators to predict disease progression in pSS. Results: Laboratory markers are frequently and significantly increased in pSS patients, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, complement proteins, S100 proteins, cytokines (IFNs, CD40 ligand, soluble CD25, More >

Almagul Kurmanova^1,2, Gulfairuz Urazbayeva³, Laura Kayupova², Damilya Salimbaeva², Nurzhamal Dzhardemalieva⁴

European Cytokine Network, Vol.35, No.2, pp. 21-27, 2024, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2024.0497

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic significance of the dynamics of cytokines and growth factors during pregnancy with and without preeclampsia. The study included 168 pregnant women at risk of hypertensive disorders. The levels of biomarkers of all pregnant women were studied at 12-16 weeks, 28-30 weeks and 36-38 weeks. These included cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin-4) and growth factors (placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor). All pregnant women were divided into two groups: 124 patients with preeclampsia and 44 without preeclampsia (control group). In patients with preeclampsia,… More >

Małgorzata Gryka-Marton, Anna Grabowska, Dariusz Szukiewicz

European Cytokine Network, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 38-47, 2024, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2024.0498

Abstract The blood-brain barrier (BBB) consists of a unique system of brain microvascular endothelial cells, capillary basement membranes, and terminal branches (“end-feet”) of astrocytes. The BBB’s primary function is to protect the central nervous system from potentially harmful or toxic substances in the bloodstream by selectively controlling the entry of cells and molecules, including nutrients and immune system components. During neuroinflammation, the BBB loses its integrity, resulting in increased permeability, mostly due to the activity of inflammatory cytokines. However, the pathomechanism of structural and functional changes in the BBB caused by individual cytokines is poorly understood.… More >

YI HU^1,#, ZHONGYANG REN^2,#, ZHENGZHONG ZHAO¹, YONGJIA HUANG³, WANTING HUANG³, JIE LIU^3,*, LING DING^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.5, pp. 745-758, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.049140 - 06 May 2024

Abstract Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP), known for its rapid onset and significant incidence and mortality rates, presents a clinical challenge due to the limited availability of effective treatments and preventive measures. Anemarsaponin B (ASB) has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent, demonstrating capabilities in reducing immune inflammation, positioning it as a promising candidate for AP treatment. Methods: We investigated the effects of ASB on AP in mice, induced by caerulein and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Peripheral blood samples were collected 24 h post-induction with caerulein to assess of key biomarkers including lipase, amylase, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, SOD, and… More >

Jo Van Damme^1,$, Ghislain Opdenakker^2,$, Sam Van Damme³, Soffe Struyf¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.34, No.1, pp. 1-9, 2023, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2023.0484

Abstract Polyclonal antisera from patients have been at the basis of the description of autoimmune diseases and today monoclonal antibodies are widely used in the therapy of cancer and many inflammatory diseases. How antisera and antibodies in combination with traditional in vitro and in vivo biological test systems have been instrumental reagents for the discovery of new cytokines is illustrated here for interleukin-1, -6 and -8. Furthermore, widely used immunological detection/quantification systems, such as ELISAs and multiplex assays, based on the use of either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, are often fraught with misinterpretations, because the results are affected More >

Liling Chen¹, Xinyuan Chen²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.34, No.3, pp. 28-37, 2023, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2023.0488

Abstract Background: Relatively little is known about the relationship between Th1/Th2 cytokines and calculus cholecystitis (CC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between serum Th1 and Th2 cytokine expression and CC, including both acute and chronic cases. Methods: In total, 102 patients with chronic calculous cholecystitis (CCC), 64 patients with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC), and 55 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited for the study. Serum concentration of Th1 (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) was measured at admission and on the fifth day after cholecystectomy using flow cytometry. In addition,… More >