Neuroimmune circuits in inter-organ communication
NATURE REVIEWS IMMUNOLOGY
Authors: Huh, Jun R.; Veiga-Fernandes, Henrique
Abstract
Studies in recent years have uncovered the crucial function of neuroimmune interactions in maintaining tissue homeostasis and protection. Immune and neuronal cells are often colocalized at defined anatomical sites, forming neuroimmune cell units, where both cell types coordinate their responses. In addition, even when located at distant sites, neuronal cells can receive signals from and provide signals to peripheral immune cells. As such, neuroimmune interactions are found across multiple organs and have recently emerged as important regulators of physiology. In this Review, we focus on the impact of bidirectional neuroimmune interactions in tissue biology, organ physiology and embryonic development. Finally, we explore how this fast-evolving field is redefining the tenets of inter-organ and intergenerational communications. Immune cells and neural cells interact in numerous tissues and organs and can have local and far-reaching physiological effects. Understanding these intimate bidirectional interactions is providing insight into the gut-brain axis, as well as the maternal gut-fetal brain axis.
Loss of copy of MIR1-2 increases CDK4 expression in ileal neuroendocrine tumors
ONCOGENESIS
Authors: Contractor, Tanupriya; Harris, Chris R.
Abstract
Ileal neuroendocrine tumors (I-NETs) are the most common tumors of the small intestine. Although I-NETs are known for a lack of recurrently mutated genes, a majority of tumors do show loss of one copy of chromosome 18. Among the genes on chromosome 18 is MIR1-2, which encodes a microRNA, MIR1-3p, with high complementarity to the mRNA of CDK4. Here we show that transfection of neuroendocrine cell lines with MIR1-3p lowered CDK4 expression and activity, and arrested growth at the G1 stage of the cell cycle. Loss of copy of MIR1-2 in ileal neuroendocrine tumors associated with increased expression of CDK4. Genetic events that attenuated RB activity, including loss of copy of MIR1-2 as well as loss of copy of CDKN1B and CDKN2A, were more frequent in tumors from patients with metastatic I-NETs. These data suggest that inhibitors of CDK4/CDK6 may benefit patients whose I-NETs show loss of copy of MIR1-2, particularly patients with metastatic disease.