Immunology Research

KEY FINDING: APRIL expression, along with its receptor BCMA, increases following spinal cord injury.

KEY FINDING: Enolase promotes both pro- and anti-inflammatory events and regulates functional recovery in SCI.

KEY FINDING: MMP-9 and MMP-2 are upregulated after SCI, contributing to BSCB breakdown, inflammation, and apoptosis.

KEY FINDING: S100A4 is upregulated in fibroblasts from ALS patients, regardless of the specific gene mutation, suggesting it is a common pathological trait.

KEY FINDING: D-DT expression is induced in astrocytes and neurons, but not microglia, following spinal cord contusion, indicating a cell-specific response to injury.

KEY FINDING: High-level SCI leads to significant atrophy of immune organs like the thymus and spleen, while low-level SCI shows gradual recovery of these organs.

KEY FINDING: Minocycline had a profound acute effect on the microbiota diversity and composition, which was paralleled by the subsequent normalization of spinal cord injury-induced suppression of cytokines/chemokines.

KEY FINDING: Microglia, the brain's immune cells, have diverse morphologies and functions depending on their environment and stage of development.

KEY FINDING: This case represents the first reported instance of intramedullary granuloma of the cervical spine caused by Brucella. Prior cases involved the thoracic spine or conus medullaris.

KEY FINDING: For every 1 g/L increase in fibrinogen level, the risk of developing PI increased by 18% (HR = 1.18, P = 0.011), and indicating a positive linear relationship between fibrinogen level and PI incidence.