1,691 research outputs found
The e-book is on the tablet
No full textResoconto di una serie di attività di media education realizzate nelle scuole della regione Emilia-Romagna.
Tema, uso sicuro del web, delle nuove tecnologie
Senescent cells: Living or dying is a matter of NK cells
No full textNK cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system, which are able to deal promptly with stressed cells. Cellular senescence is a cell stress response leading to cell cycle arrest that plays a key role during tissue homeostasis and carcinogenesis. In this review, how senescent cells trigger an immune response and, in particular, the ability of NK cells to recognize and clear senescent cells are discussed. Special attention is given to the NK cell-mediated clearance of senescent tumor cells. NK cells kill senescent cells through a mechanism involving perforin- and granzyme-containing granule exocytosis, and produce IFN-γ following senescent cell interaction, leading to hypothesize that NK cell-mediated immune clearance of senescent cells not only relies on direct killing but also on cytokine production, that in turn can promote macrophage activation. These aspects, as well as the ability of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype and senescent cell-produced extracellular vesicles to modulate NK cell effector functions, are described
NKG2D and DNAM-1 Ligands: Molecular Targets for NK Cell-Mediated Immunotherapeutic Intervention in Multiple Myeloma
No full textA pivotal strategy to improve NK cell-mediated antitumor activity involves the upregulation of activating ligands on tumor cells. Enhancement of NK cell-mediated recognition of multiple myeloma cells was reported by us and others showing increased surface expression of NKG2D and DNAM-1 ligands on tumor cells following treatment with a number of chemotherapeutic agents, such as genotoxic drugs or inhibitors of proteasome, histone deacetylases, GSK3, and HSP-90. These compounds have the capability to affect tumor survival but also to activate specific transduction pathways associated with the upregulation of different NK cell activating ligands on the tumor cells. Here, we will summarize and discuss the molecular pathways whereby these drugs can regulate the expression of NK cell activating ligands in multiple myeloma cells.A pivotal strategy to improve NK cell-mediated antitumor activity involves the upregulation of activating ligands on tumor cells. Enhancement of NK cell-mediated recognition of multiple myeloma cells was reported by us and others showing increased surface expression of NKG2D and DNAM-1 ligands on tumor cells following treatment with a number of chemotherapeutic agents, such as genotoxic drugs or inhibitors of proteasome, histone deacetylases, GSK3, and HSP-90. These compounds have the capability to affect tumor survival but also to activate specific transduction pathways associated with the upregulation of different NK cell activating ligands on the tumor cells. Here, we will summarize and discuss the molecular pathways whereby these drugs can regulate the expression of NK cell activating ligands in multiple myeloma cells
Le sfide, in termini di inclusione, di una scuola forzata alla non-presenza. Esiti di una ricerca condotta presso un istituto comprensivo del territorio Bolognese.
No full textIn seguito al blocco reso necessario dalla pandemia, gli istituti scolastici si sono trovati nella condizione di dover elevare le tecnologie a strumento unico e privilegiato per comunicare con famiglie e studenti. Questo cambiamento ha fatto emergere con maggior evidenza, oltre ad una serie di fattori che hanno comportato diversi benefici, anche numerose difficoltà e complicazioni – prima certamente già presenti – che, attraverso il contatto umano del luogo scuola e della relazione vis-à-vis, erano più o meno controllate: si fa riferimento, in particolare, alla difficoltà di alcuni insegnanti e di alcuni genitori di mantenere i contatti con famiglie non italofone o con famiglie in situazioni socio-economiche svantaggiate. Il contributo intende presentare i risultati di una ricerca condotta nell’A.S. 19/20 presso un istituto comprensivo della città di Bologna fortemente connotato dalla presenza di famiglie non italofone fra i suoi utenti. Interessando in maniera verticale la scuola dell’infanzia, la primaria e la secondaria di primo grado, lo studio aveva lo scopo, nello specifico, di indagare le dinamiche relazionali genitore-insegnanti e genitore-genitore mediate dalle tecnologie. Dai dati è emerso che alcune strategie comunicative intraprese dalla scuola, in concerto a certe forme di condivisione delle informazioni fra genitori, possono creare o accentuare situazioni di divario digitale (specialmente nei confronti dei nuclei famigliari più in difficoltà). Queste pagine hanno inoltre l’intento di suggerire alcune strategie per poter attuare un cambio di prospettiva e superare questa scollatura comunicativa e relazionale attraverso un approccio inclusivo
Cancer extracellular vesicles as novel regulators of NK cell response
No full textNatural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that play a major role in the immune surveillance against tumors and their activity is regulated through signals derived by a number of NK cell inhibitory and activating receptors as well as cytokines and other soluble factors released in the tumor microenvironment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed particles secreted by all cell types, both in healthy and diseased conditions, and are important mediators of intercellular communication. Depending on the molecular cargo, tumor-derived extracellular vesicles have the capability to either promote or suppress NK cell-mediated functions. Anti-cancer therapies designed to sustain host anti-tumor immune response represent an appealing strategy to control tumor growth avoiding tumor immune escape. The ability of anticancer chemotherapy to enhance the immunogenic potential of malignant cells mainly relies on the establishment of the immunogenic cell death (ICD) and the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Moreover, the activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) and the induction of senescence represent two crucial modalities aimed at promoting the clearance of drug-treated tumor cells by NK cells. Herein, we will address the main mechanisms used by cancer-derived extracellular vesicles to modulate NK cell activity, and we will discuss how anti-cancer therapies might impact on the secretion and the immunomodulatory function of these vesicles
Cancer Exosomes as Conveyors of Stress-Induced Molecules: New Players in the Modulation of NK Cell Response.
No full textNatural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that play a pivotal role in tumor surveillance. Exosomes are nanovesicles released into the extracellular environment via the endosomal vesicle pathway and represent an important mode of intercellular communication. The ability of anticancer chemotherapy to enhance the immunogenic potential of malignant cells mainly relies on the establishment of the immunogenic cell death (ICD) and the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Moreover, the activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) and the induction of senescence represent two crucial modalities aimed at promoting the clearance of drug-treated tumor cells by NK cells. Emerging evidence has shown that stress stimuli provoke an increased release of exosome secretion. Remarkably, tumor-derived exosomes (Tex) produced in response to stress carry distinct type of DAMPs that activate innate immune cell populations. Moreover, stress-induced ligands for the activating receptor NKG2D are transported by this class of nanovesicles. Here, we will discuss how Tex interact with NK cells and provide insight into their potential role in response to chemotherapy-induced stress stimuli. The capability of some "danger signals" carried by exosomes that indirectly affect the NK cell activity in the tumor microenvironment will be also addressed
Videogames, Violence and Aggressive Behavior: an Educational Proposal
No full textThis contribution, articulated in three parts, proposes an articulated interpretation of the relationship between violence and videogames. The debate, nevertheless current, is in fact rich in positions diametrically opposite and often accompanied by superficial and not much argued visions which make parents, teachers and media suspicious. The dia-logue and communication with youngsters and with the industry is connoted by a com-municative distance which is growing more and more.
The first part of the contribution will offer an overview taken by different disciplines ( from the ethology of Lorenz to the philosophy and sociology of Morin) to describe the destructive and transformative components of the aggressiveness. Moreover, it will be talked the aggressive component in relation with the cultural dimension of the game in general with its “play” component. In the second part it will be explored the complexity of the combination "Violence / Videogame" by trying to propose a critical and analytical vision, that can open new spaces for questions and interpretations.
Finally, in the third part, it will be presented a media-literacy experience carried on in a secondary school in Bologna about the use of a non violent videogame (Minecraft) for developing creativity and critical thinking within pre-adolescents
How Mucosal Epithelia Deal with Stress: Role of NKG2D/NKG2D Ligands during Inflammation
No full textMucosal epithelia encounter both physicochemical and biological stress during their life and have evolved several mechanisms to deal with them, including regulation of immune cell functions. Stressed and damaged cells need to be cleared to control local inflammation and trigger tissue healing. Engagement of the activating NKG2D receptor is one of the most direct mechanisms involved in the recognition of stressed cells by the immune system. Indeed, injured cells promptly express NKG2D ligands that in turn mediate the activation of lymphocytes of both innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. This review focuses on different conditions that are able to modulate NKG2D ligand expression on the epithelia. Special attention is given to the mechanisms of immunosurveillance mediated by natural killer cells, which are finely tuned by NKG2D. Different types of stress, including viral and bacterial infections, chronic inflammation, and cigarette smoke exposure, are discussed as paradigmatic conditions for NKG2D ligand modulation, and the implications for tissue homeostasis are discussed
Topics in Statistical Models for Network Analysis.
No full textLa Network Analysis è un insieme di tecniche statistiche e matematiche per lo studio di dati relazionali per un sistema di entità interconnesse. Molti dei risultati per i dati di rete provengono dalla Social Network Analysis (SNA), incentrata principalmente sullo studio delle relazioni tra un insieme di individui e organizzazioni. La tesi tratta alcuni argomenti riguardanti la modellazione statistica per dati di rete, con particolare attenzione ai modelli utilizzati in SNA. Il nucleo centrale della tesi è rappresentato dai Capitoli 3, 4 e 5. Nel Capitolo 3, viene proposto un approccio alternativo per la stima dei modelli esponenziali per grafi casuali (Exponential Random Graph Models - ERGMs). Nel capitolo 4, l'approccio di modellazione ERGM e quello a Spazio Latente vengono confrontati in termini di bontà di adattamento. Nel capitolo 5, vengono proposti metodi alternativi per la stima della classe di modelli p2
Natural killer cell response to chemotherapy-stressed cancer cells: Role in tumor immunosurveillance.
No full textNatural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphoid cells that actively prevent neoplastic development, growth, and metastatic dissemination in a process called cancer immunosurveillance. An equilibrium between immune control and tumor growth is maintained as long as cancer cells evade immunosurveillance. Therapies designed to kill cancer cells and to simultaneously sustain host antitumor immunity are an appealing strategy to control tumor growth. Several chemotherapeutic agents, depending on which drugs and doses are used, give rise to DNA damage and cancer cell death by means of apoptosis, immunogenic cell death, or other forms of non-apoptotic death (i.e., mitotic catastrophe, senescence, and autophagy). However, it is becoming increasingly clear that they can trigger additional stress responses. Indeed, relevant immunostimulating effects of different therapeutic programs include also the activation of pathways able to promote their recognition by immune effector cells. Among stress-inducible immunostimulating proteins, changes in the expression levels of NK cell-activating and inhibitory ligands, as well as of death receptors on tumor cells, play a critical role in their detection and elimination by innate immune effectors, including NK cells. Here, we will review recent advances in chemotherapy-mediated cellular stress pathways able to stimulate NK cell effector functions. In particular, we will address how these cytotoxic lymphocytes sense and respond to different types of drug-induced stresses contributing to anticancer activity.Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphoid cells that actively prevent neoplastic development, growth, and metastatic dissemination in a process called cancer immunosurveillance. An equilibrium between immune control and tumor growth is maintained as long as cancer cells evade immunosurveillance. Therapies designed to kill cancer cells and to simultaneously sustain host antitumor immunity are an appealing strategy to control tumor growth. Several chemotherapeutic agents, depending on which drugs and doses are used, give rise to DNA damage and cancer cell death by means of apoptosis, immunogenic cell death, or other forms of non-apoptotic death (i.e., mitotic catastrophe, senescence, and autophagy). However, it is becoming increasingly clear that they can trigger additional stress responses. Indeed, relevant immunostimulating effects of different therapeutic programs include also the activation of pathways able to promote their recognition by immune effector cells. Among stress-inducible immunostimulating proteins, changes in the expression levels of NK cell-activating and inhibitory ligands, as well as of death receptors on tumor cells, play a critical role in their detection and elimination by innate immune effectors, including NK cells. Here, we will review recent advances in chemotherapy-mediated cellular stress pathways able to stimulate NK cell effector functions. In particular, we will address how these cytotoxic lymphocytes sense and respond to different types of drug-induced stresses contributing to anticancer activity
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