Enhancing the Precision and Safety of CAR Immune Cell Therapy through Tunable Biological Circuits

Neil Koby Reid Introduction. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is one branch of immunotherapy that is successful in treating refractory hematological malignancies1,2. Current CAR immune cells are host-specific cells that express transmembrane proteins that activate intrinsic immune cell pathways without the traditional MHC presentation. Newer generations of CAR therapies…
Engineering Medicine Immunology

Mechanical Load-Induced Articular Collagen Remodeling as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Alexandra Ramos Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting joints. Women are twice as likely to develop RA, and increasing age is another risk factor1. RA has a multifactorial etiology but is characterized by autoantibodies that target citrullinated proteins, leading to inflammatory cells infiltrating and secreting…
Engineering Medicine Immunology Inflammation Orthopedics

Targeting Serum Cytokines as Prognostic Biomarkers for COVID-19 Biosensors

Shourya Kumar and Limei Tian, PhD Introduction: Coronaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses in humans and animals that can cause acute and chronic diseases1. In patients with a weak immune system or other (unknown) pre-existing conditions, an uncontrolled inflammatory response linked to a cytokine storm has been associated with severe pulmonary…
Engineering Medicine Immunology Inflammation Microbiology

Immune System Modulators as Treatment for Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia Following Influenza A Infection

Calvin Phan Introduction. The influenza virus causes contagious respiratory illness that infect the nose, throat and lungs. IAV affects millions of people every year and can lead to severe illnesses and lead to death in those that are immunocompromised. Following infection from influenza, surface glycoproteins (GP96) and signaling pathways are…
Immunology Microbiology

CD31 Analog Mediation of Pro-Reparative Macrophage Response in Aortic Dissection and Intramural Hematoma

Claire Collins Introduction: Aortic dissections and intramural hematomas (ADIM) result from tears and subsequent rupture of the walls of the aortic tunica intima and vasa vasorum, respectively.1,2 The absence of therapeutic options to rapidly induce pro-reparative effects exacerbates the size of the injury among other complications, contributing to the need…
Cardiology Engineering Medicine Immunology

The Role of Proteins In Point-of-Care Serological Tests that Can Be Used to Manage SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19)

Raaghav Bageshwar Introduction. Severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is responsible for causing a major health crisis with substantial morbidity and mortality¹. In general, coronaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses that can cause acute and chronic diseases¹. SARS-CoV-2 in particular uses the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting…
Engineering Medicine Immunology Microbiology

The Regulation of Macrophage Polarization through Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Aniruth Srinivasaraghavan Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the irreversible degeneration and dysfunction of articular cartilage and adjacent tissues that eventually leads to joint destructions1,2. Non-pharmacological treatment such as exercise, weight loss, as walking aids as indicated are recommended for first line of treatment. Exercise therapy is recommended for helping to decrease…
Immunology Inflammation Orthopedics

Renin-Angiotensin System Induced Production of TNF-α Mediates the Exaggerated Activation of M1 Macrophages and Further Pathogenesis in Diabetic Nephropathy

Braden Sims Introduction. Improper management of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) can lead to the progression of Diabetic Nephropathy (DN), which is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease in most developed countries, including the United States.1 Progression of DN and worsening renal function have been strongly associated with the interplay and…
Immunology Renal Genitourinary