Systemic inflammation is very prevalent among critically ill patients, particularly those with extensive tissue injury. Although downstream mediators (cytokines) and effector cells (phagocytes) have been identified, proximal mediators originating from injured tissues remained elusive. Alarmins ("danger signals") released by necrotic/injured cells have been identified recently and certainly play...

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) caused by Candida albicans affects a significant number of women during their reproductive ages. Clinical observations revealed that a robust vaginal polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) migration occurs in susceptible women, promoting pathological inflammation without affecting fungal burden. Evidence to date in the mouse model suggests that a similar acute PMN mig...

Radiotherapy can produce antitumor benefits beyond the local site of irradiation, an immune-based phenomenon known as the abscopal effect, but the mechanisms underlying these benefits are poorly understood. Preclinical studies of ECI301, a mutant derivative of macrophage inhibitory protein-1α, have shown its administration can improve the antitumor effects of radiotherapy in a manner associated...

Granulysin is a cytolytic and proinflammatory peptide contained in the cytotoxic granules of NK cells and CTL. Unexpectedly, granulysin also recruits and activates dendritic cells via TLR4/Myd88, playing the role of an immune adjuvant. Hence, in contrast to classical alarmins released by early leukocytes, granulysin is the first alarmin to be released from lymphocytes.

Radiotherapy can produce antitumor benefits beyond the local site of irradiation, an immune-based phenomenon known as the abscopal effect, but the mechanisms underlying these benefits are poorly understood. Preclinical studies of ECI301, a mutant derivative of macrophage inhibitory protein-1α, have shown that its administration can improve the antitumor effects of radiotherapy in a manner assoc...

A growing body of literature has documented the elevated levels of the alarmin HMGB1 in lupus skin and serum. Two recent reports highlight the increased expression of HMGB1 in lupus nephritis, within the diseased kidneys or in the urine. Taken together with previous reports, these findings suggest that the interaction of HMGB1 with a variety of receptors, including receptor for advanced glycati...