Cell wall glycans isolated from microorganisms are long known to provoke strong immune responses piloted by innate immune cell populations, including monocytes, in the context of Trained Immunity (TI). However, the contribution of yeast-derived mannan in the reprogramming of monocytes remains ill-defined. Here, we demonstrated that TI is often accompanied by an altered gene expression profile of selected glycan...
The perturbation of the symbiotic relationship between microbes and intestinal immune system contributes to gut inflammation and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) development. The host mucosa glycans (glycocalyx) creates a major biological interface between gut microorganisms and host immunity that remains ill-defined. Glycans are essential players in IBD immunopathogenesis, even years before disease onset. Howe...
The consumption of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) has increased during pregnancy. The European Food Safety Agency suggested that steviol glycosides, such as Rebaudioside A (RebA), the major sweetener component of stevia, are safe for humans up to a dose of 4 mg/kg body weight/day. However, the World Health Organization recommended in 2023 the restraint of using NSS, including stevia, at any life stage, highlighting...
Trained Immunity is defined as a biological process normally induced by exogenous or endogenous insults that triggers epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming events associated with long-term adaptation of innate immune cells. This trained phenotype confers enhanced responsiveness to subsequent triggers, resulting in an innate immune "memory" effect. Trained Immunity, in the past decade, has revealed important be...
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation in the gut. There is growing evidence in Crohn’s disease (CD) of the existence of a preclinical period characterized by immunological changes preceding symptom onset that starts years before diagnosis. Gaining insight into this preclinical phase will allow disease prediction and prevention. Analysis of preclinical serum samples, up to 6 y...
The immune system is coordinated by an intricate network of stimulatory and inhibitory circuits that regulate host responses against endogenous and exogenous insults. Disruption of these safeguard and homeostatic mechanisms can lead to unpredictable inflammatory and autoimmune responses, whereas deficiency of immune stimulatory pathways may orchestrate immunosuppressive programs that contribute to perpetuate ch...
T-cell development ensures the formation of diverse repertoires of T-cell receptors (TCRs) that recognize a variety of antigens. Glycosylation is a major posttranslational modification present in virtually all cells, including T-lymphocytes, that regulates activity/functions. Although these structures are known to be involved in TCR-selection in DP thymocytes, it is unclear how glycans regulate other thymic dev...
Introduction: Several neuroimmunological disorders have distinct phenotypes according to the age of onset, as in multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis. It is also described that late onset NMOSD (LONMOSD) has a different phenotype. Objective: To describe the clinical/demographic characteristics of the LONMOSD and distinguish them from those with early onset (EONMOSD). Methods: From a nationwide Portuguese NMO...
Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare disorder in which astrocyte damage and/or demyelination often cause severe neurological deficits. Objective: To identify Portuguese patients with NMOSD and assess their epidemiological/clinical characteristics. Methods: This was a nationwide multicenter study. Twenty-four Portuguese adult and 3 neuropediatric centers following NMOSD patients...
Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare disorder in which astrocyte damage and/or demyelination often cause severe neurological deficits. Objective: To identify Portuguese patients with NMOSD and assess their epidemiological/clinical characteristics. Methods: This was a nationwide multicenter study. Twenty-four Portuguese adult and 3 neuropediatric centers following NMOSD patients...