MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Clinical and Developmental Immunology' source. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:39:14 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3347569&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2010%2F212537.html Heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) and glycoprotein 96 (gp96) are highly expressed in cancer tissues. Recent studies indicate the possible roles of HSP72 and gp96 in the development and progression of gastrointestinal carcinomas but detailed information is still ambiguous. We investigated the correlation between clinicopathology and expression of HSP72 and gp96 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The expression of HSP72 and gp96 was studied in 120 human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas with or without metastasis as well as in mucous membrane adjacent to cancers by way of immunohistochemistry. HSP72 immunoreactivities were detected in 112 of 120 primary tumors (93.3%) and in 30 of 120 mucous membranes adjacent to cancers (25.0%). Gp96 detected in esophageal squamous c... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3347569 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:39:12 +0100 3347569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3340227&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F363914.html We describe a patient with node positive prostate cancer treated with radiation, androgen deprivation, and immunotherapy with long-term overall survival and PSA control. ELISPOT immunoassay studies demonstrated PSA specific T-cells prior to starting vaccine therapy suggesting that this positive response may be related to an improved antitumor immune response of the patient, increased immunogenicity of the tumor, or decreased activation of immune escape pathways. Further evaluation of therapeutic cancer vaccines in combination with radiation and hormonal therapy in the definitive management of prostate cancer is warranted. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3340227 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:39:21 +0100 3340227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3292492&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F645898.html Conclusions. Calcipotriol suppressed HBD-2 and LL-37, which were stimulated by UVB, LPS, and TNF-α. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3292492 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:38:46 +0100 3292492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3280852&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F657369.html Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells and play a central role in the initiation and regulation of primary immune responses. Therefore, their use for the active immunotherapy against cancers has been studied with considerable interest. The fusion of DCs with whole tumor cells represents in many ways an ideal approach to deliver, process, and subsequently present a broad array of tumor-associated antigens, including those yet to be unidentified, in the context of DCs-derived costimulatory molecules. DCs/tumor fusion vaccine stimulates potent antitumor immunity in the animal tumor models. In the human studies, T cells stimulated by DC/tumor fusion cells are effective in lysis of tumor cells that are used as the fusion partner. In the clinical trials, clinical and immunolog... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3280852 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:39:04 +0100 3280852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3273425&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F260286.html Tobacco smoking has been considered the most important risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development. However, not all smokers develop COPD and other environmental and genetic susceptibility factors underlie disease pathogenesis. Recent studies have indicated that the impairment of TLR signaling might play a crucial role in the development of emphysema. For this purpose we investigated the prevalence and any possible associations of common TLR polymorphisms (TLR2-R753Q, TLR4-D299G, and TLR4-T399I) in a group of 240 heavy smokers (>20 pack years), without overt atherosclerosis disease, of whom 136 had developed COPD and 104 had not. The presence of TLR4-T399I polymorphism was associated with a 2.4-fold increased risk for COPD development (P=.044), but not w... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3273425 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:42:43 +0100 3273425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3271508&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F537929.html Conclusions. Our data suggest that increased expression of Flt-1 and downregulation of CXCL12α in IPF may further support the hypothesis of a different angiogenetic profile between fibrotic and granulomatous diseases. However, further studies are needed in order to better investigate these enigmatic diseases. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3271508 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:38:45 +0100 3271508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201405&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20092438%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: PMID: 20092438 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201405 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:40:07 +0100 3201405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197965&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20089076%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signalling in the pathogenesis of ILD by using model mice. Injection of interleukin (IL)-18 plus IL-2 in C57BL6 (B6) mice resulted in acute ILD by infiltration of natural killer (NK) cells and a significant increase of TGF-beta mRNA in the lung. To examine the pathogenetic role of TGF-beta in ILD mice, we used SB-431542 (4-[4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-5-(2-pyridinyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-benzamide), which is a potent and selective inhibitor of TGF-beta receptor I (TbetaRI), also known as activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5). Treatment of B6-ILD mice with SB-431542 resulted in improvement of ILD, delay in mortality, reduction of the expression of interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-6 in the lungs. The same treatment also ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197965 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3197965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197964&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20089077%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sugihara T, Kobori A, Imaeda H, Tsujikawa T, Amagase K, Takeuchi K, Fujiyama Y, Andoh A Summary Recent studies have demonstrated that the complement system participates in the regulation of T cell functions. To address the local biosynthesis of complement components in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mucosa, we investigated C3 and interleukin (IL)-17 mRNA expression in mucosal samples obtained from patients with IBD. The molecular mechanisms underlying C3 induction were investigated in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs). IL-17 and C3 mRNA expressions in the IBD mucosa were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The C3 levels in the supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-17 and C3 mRNA expressions were elevated significa... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197964 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3197964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197963&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20089078%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fujita M, Harada E, Matsumoto T, Mizuta Y, Ikegame S, Ouchi H, Inoshima I, Yoshida S, Watanabe K, Nakanishi Y Summary Patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), an inherited disorder of phagocytic cells, often contract recurrent life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections. CGD is considered to arise from a functional defect of the O(2)-generating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in phagocytes. To determine whether or not NADPH oxidase is crucial to the host defence against Mycobacterium avium, we investigated the response against M. avium using CGD model mice (gp91-phox(-)) of C57BL/6 strain. A tracheal injection of 1 x 10(7) colony-forming units (CFU)/head of M. avium strain FN into the CGD mice resulted in a pulmonary infection, while ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197963 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3197963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189618&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20082621%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Salim PH, Jobim M, Bredemeier M, Chies JA, Schlottfeldt J, Brenol JC, Jobim LF, Xavier RM Summary A previous study has suggested that the combination KIR2DS2(+)/KIR2DL2(-) was related to increased risk for systemic sclerosis (SSc), while others have failed to reproduce this finding. Our objective was to study this matter further and test the association of other KIR genes with SSc. One hundred and ten SSc patients and 115 healthy bone marrow donors were enrolled in a case-control study. Blood was collected for DNA extraction; typing of 15 KIR genes and human leucocyte antigen-C (HLA-C) was made by polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP), followed by electrophoresis on agarose gel. Patients underwent clinical evaluation, serology, Doppler echocardiogr... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189618 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3189618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3179401&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20070316%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Miller A, Chan M, Wiik A, Misbah SA, Luqmani RA Summary The systemic vasculitides are a complex and often serious group of disorders which, while uncommon, require careful management in order to ensure optimal outcome. In most cases there is no known cause. Multi-system disease is likely to be fatal without judicious use of immunosuppression. A prompt diagnosis is necessary to preserve organ function. Comprehensive and repeated disease assessment is a necessary basis for planning therapy and modification of treatment protocols according to response. Therapies typically include glucocorticoids and, especially for small and medium vessel vasculitis, an effective immunosuppressive agent. Cyclophosphamide is currently the standard therapy for small vessel multi-system vasculitis, ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3179401 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3179401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164706&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20059478%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang SH, Yuan SG, Peng DQ, Zhao SP Summary Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Immunomodulation of atherosclerosis emerges as a promising approach to prevention and treatment of this widely prevalent disease. The function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to promote reverse cholesterol transport may explain the ability of its protection against atherosclerosis. Findings that HDL and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) inhibited the ability of antigen presenting cells (APCs) to stimulate T cells might be attributed to lipid raft, a cholesterol-rich microdomain exhibiting functional properties depending largely upon its lipid composition. Thus, modulating cholesterol in lipid raft may provide a promising anti-atherogenic strategy. PMID: 20059478 [PubMed - as supplied ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164706 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3164706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164705&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20059479%26dopt%3DAbstract This study provides a new insight into the mechanisms of CAPE for immune regulation and a rationale for the use of propolis for the treatment of allergic disorders. PMID: 20059479 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164705 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3164705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164704&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20059480%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Selga D, Segelmark M, Gunnarsson L, Hellmark T Summary Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies against proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA) are used as diagnostic tools for patients with small vessel vasculitis (AASV). We have produced chimeric mouse/human PR3 molecules and investigate changes in reactivity over time and the possible relationship between epitope specificity and clinical course. Thirty-eight PR3-ANCA-positive patients diagnosed between 1990 and 2003 were followed until December 2005. Plasma was collected at each out-patient visit and older samples were retrieved retrospectively. Patients reacted with multiple epitopes at the time of diagnosis. At subsequent relapses 12 patients shifted reactivity, in 11 cases from epitopes located in the C-terminal towards epitopes in the N-... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164704 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3164704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164703&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20059481%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Roep BO, Kleijwegt FS, van Halteren AG, Bonato V, Boggi U, Vendrame F, Marchetti P, Dotta F Summary Type 1 diabetes results from a T cell-mediated destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Little is known on local factors contributing to migration of T cells to pancreatic tissue. We recently demonstrated evidence of viral infection in beta cells in several recent-onset type 1 diabetes patients. Islet inflammation was analysed in a series of new- or recent-onset type 1 diabetic patients and non-diabetic control subjects. Autoimmune T cell reactivity was studied in lymphocytes derived from pancreas-draining lymph nodes of one recent-onset type 1 diabetes patient in partial clinical remission. Insulitic lesions were characterized by presence of beta cells, elevated ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164703 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3164703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164702&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20059482%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Menzies FM, Henriquez FL, Alexander J, Roberts CW Summary The present study examines the temporal dynamics of macrophage activation marker expression in response to variations in stimulation. We demonstrate that markers can be categorized as 'early' (expressed most abundantly at 6 h post-stimulation) or 'late' (expressed at 24 h post-stimulation). Thus nos2 and p40 (IL-12/IL-23) are early markers of innate and classical activation, while dectin-1 and mrc-1 are early markers and fizz1 (found in inflammatory zone-1) and ym1 are late markers of alternative activation. Furthermore, argI is a late marker of both innate and alternative activation. The ability of interferon (IFN)-gamma to alter these activation markers was studied at both the protein level and gene level. As reported... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164702 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3164702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3120736&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20030673%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Borrelli M, Maglio M, Agnese M, Paparo F, Gentile S, Colicchio B, Tosco A, Auricchio R, Troncone R Summary The diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD) represents a special challenge in selective immunoglobulin (Ig)A deficiency (IgAD). A high density of T cell receptor (TCR)gammadelta(+) intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and intestinal IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase 2 (anti-TG2) antibody deposits are suggestive of CD. We analysed the density of TCRgammadelta(+) IELs and the deposition of IgM anti-TG2 antibodies in the jejunal mucosa of IgAD patients with and without CD. Immunohistochemical analyses for the number of CD3(+) and TCRgammadelta(+) IELs and double immunofluorescence assay for IgM anti-TG2 antibody deposits were performed in biopsies from 25 children with IgAD (nine unt... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3120736 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3120736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3120741&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20030668%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pekáriková A, Sánchez D, Palová-Jelínková L, Simšová M, Beneš Z, Hoffmanová I, Drastich P, Janatková I, Mothes T, Tlaskalová-Hogenová H, Tučková L Summary Calreticulin, upon translocation to the cell surface, plays a critical role in the recognition of tumour cells and in experimentally induced cellular anti-tumour immunity. However, less is known about anti-calreticulin antibodies and their role in malignancies. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we found immunoglobulin (Ig)A and/or IgG anti-calreticulin antibodies in sera of approximately 63% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 57% of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRA) and 47% of patients with pancreatic adenoc... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3120741 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3120741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3120740&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20030669%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin K(3) in in vitro cultured cell experiments and in vivo animal experiments. In human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells, vitamin K(3) inhibited the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-evoked translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB into the nucleus, although vitamins K(1) and K(2) did not. Vitamin K(3) also suppressed the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and production of TNF-alpha in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, the addition of vitamin K(3) before and after LPS administration attenuated the severity of lung injury in an animal model of acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which occurs in the setting of acute severe illness complicated by systemic ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3120740 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3120740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3120739&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20030670%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marin-Gallen S, Clemente-Casares X, Planas R, Pujol-Autonell I, Carrascal J, Carrillo J, Ampudia R, Verdaguer J, Pujol-Borrell R, Borràs FE, Vives-Pi M Summary Dendritic cells (DCs) are powerful antigen-presenting cells capable of maintaining peripheral tolerance. The possibility to generate tolerogenic DCs opens new therapeutic approaches in the prevention or remission of autoimmunity. There is currently no treatment inducing long-term tolerance and remission in type 1 diabetes (T1D), a disease caused by autoimmunity towards beta cells. An ideal immunotherapy should inhibit the autoimmune attack, avoid systemic side effects and allow islet regeneration. Apoptotic cells - a source of autoantigens - are cleared rapidly by macrophages and DCs through an immunologically sile... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3120739 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3120739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3120738&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20030671%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Heron M, Claessen AM, Grutters JC, van den Bosch JM Summary Lymphocytes play a crucial role in lung inflammation. Different interstitial lung diseases may show distinct lymphocyte activation profiles. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of a variety of activation markers on T lymphocyte subsets from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with different granulomatous interstitial lung diseases and healthy controls. Bronchoalveolar lavage cells and blood cells from 23 sarcoidosis patients, seven patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and 24 healthy controls were analysed. Lymphocyte activation status was determined by flow cytometry. Lymphocytes were stained with antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD28, CD69, very late antigen-1 (VLA)-... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3120738 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3120738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3120737&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20030672%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chuangchaiya S, Jangpatarapongsa K, Chootong P, Sirichaisinthop J, Sattabongkot J, Pattanapanyasat K, Chotivanich K, Troye-Blomberg M, Cui L, Udomsangpetch R Summary Plasmodium falciparum infection causes transient immunosuppression during the parasitaemic stage. However, the immune response during simultaneous infections with both P. vivax and P. falciparum has been investigated rarely. In particular, it is not clear whether the host's immune response to malaria will be different when infected with a single or mixed malaria species. Phenotypes of T cells from mixed P. vivax-P. falciparum (PV-PF) infection were characterized by flow cytometry, and anti-malarial antibodies in the plasma were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found the percentage of CD3(+)de... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3120737 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3120737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3082724&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F681482.html Mizoribine (MZB) is an imidazole nucleoside and an immunosuppressive agent. The immunosuppressive effect of MZB has been reported to be due to the inhibition of DNA synthesis in the S phase of the cell cycle. Because of its relative lack of toxicity, during the past decade MZB has been frequently used instead of azathioprine as a component of immunosuppressive drug regimens. MZB is being used to treat renal transplantation patients, IgA nephropathy, lupus erythematosus, and childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS), and some recent studies have assessed the efficacy of oral MZB pulse therapy for severe lupus nephritis, steroid-resistant NS, and frequently relapsing-steroid-dependent NS. This review summarizes the published findings on the efficacy of MZB for renal disease including IgA nephropath... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3082724 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:38:58 +0100 3082724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3072476&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F187864.html In conclusion, we believe that the utilization of recombinant desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3 proteins by ELISA should be used with caution to monitor disease severity and response to therapy, although it remains a high specific test for the initial diagnosis of pemphigus and the identification of a change in the clinical phenotype of this condition. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3072476 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:38:56 +0100 3072476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3068190&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F138513.html Discussion: Exposure of mice to a DE after PRK increases the epithelial turnover rate. PAF is involved in the inflammatory cell infiltration and expression of inflammatory cytokines that follow PRK under DE. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3068190 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:38:57 +0100 3068190 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3076145&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19968663%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Harnett MM, Melendez AJ, Harnett W Summary The dramatic recent rise in the incidence of allergic or autoimmune inflammatory diseases in the West has been proposed to reflect the lack of appropriate priming of the immune response by infectious agents such as parasitic worms during childhood. Consistent with this, there is increasing evidence supporting an inverse relationship between worm infection and T helper type 1/17 (Th1/17)-based inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Perhaps more surprisingly, given that such worms often induce strong Th2-type immune responses, there also appears to be an inverse correlation between parasite load and atopy. These findings therefore suggest that the co-evolu... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3076145 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3076145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3076144&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19968664%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li QZ, Zhou J, Lian Y, Zhang B, Branch VK, Carr-Johnson F, Karp DR, Mohan C, Wakeland EK, Olsen NJ Summary Interferon (IFN) signature genes have been shown to be expressed highly in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially in the presence of active disease. However, the expression of this gene signature in individuals with incomplete forms of lupus and the pathogenic relationship between IFN signature genes and autoantibody production have not been explored fully. In the present study, we examined the gene expression and autoantibody profiles of patients diagnosed with incomplete lupus erythematosus (ILE) to determine correlations of the gene expression signature with autoantibody production. Gene expression analysis was carried out on t... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3076144 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3076144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3076143&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19968665%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Walker LJ, Sewell AK, Klenerman P Summary The importance of CD8(+) T cells in the control of viral infections is well established. However, what differentiates CD8(+) T cell responses in individuals who control infection and those who do not is not well understood. 'Functional sensitivity' describes an important quality of the T cell response and is determined in part by the affinity of the T cell receptor for antigen. A more sensitive T cell response is generally believed to be more efficient and associated with better control of viral infection, yet may also drive viral mutation and immune escape. Various in vitro techniques have been used to measure T cell sensitivity; however, rapid ex vivo analysis of this has been made possible by the application of the 'magic' tetramer ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3076143 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3076143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3034384&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883418%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jolles S, Kaveri SV, Orange J PMID: 19883418 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3034384 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:04:28 +0100 3034384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3034383&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883419%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Durandy A, Kaveri SV, Kuijpers TW, Basta M, Miescher S, Ravetch JV, Rieben R High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) preparations are used currently for the treatment of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. Despite numerous studies demonstrating efficacy, the precise mode of action of IVIg remains unclear. Paradoxically, IgG can exert both pro- and anti-inflammatory activities, depending on its concentration. The proinflammatory activity of low-dose IVIg requires complement activation or binding of the Fc fragment of IgG to IgG-specific receptors (FcgammaR) on innate immune effector cells. In contrast, when administered in high concentrations, IVIg has anti-inflammatory properties. How this anti-inflammatory effect is mediated has not yet been elucidated fully, and several... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3034383 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:04:25 +0100 3034383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3034382&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883420%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ballow M, Notarangelo L, Grimbacher B, Cunningham-Rundles C, Stein M, Helbert M, Gathmann B, Kindle G, Knight AK, Ochs HD, Sullivan K, Franco JL Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are uncommon, chronic and severe disorders of the immune system in which patients cannot mount a sufficiently protective immune response, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections. The treatment of choice for PID patients with predominant antibody deficiency is intravenous immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy. Despite major advances over the last 20 years in the molecular characterization of PIDs, many patients remain undiagnosed or are diagnosed too late, with severe consequences. Various strategies to ensure timely diagnosis of PIDs are in place, and novel approaches are being develope... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3034382 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:04:22 +0100 3034382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3034381&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883421%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hartung HP, Mouthon L, Ahmed R, Jordan S, Laupland KB, Jolles S The clinical use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has expanded beyond its traditional place in the treatment of patients with primary immunodeficiencies. Due to its multiple anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, IVIg is used successfully in a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Recognized autoimmune indications include idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Kawasaki disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome and other autoimmune neuropathies, myasthenia gravis, dermatomyositis and several rare diseases. Several other indications are currently under investigation and require additional studies to establish firmly the benefit of IVIg treatment. Increasing attention is being turned t... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3034381 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:04:19 +0100 3034381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3034380&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883422%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hughes RA, Dalakas MC, Cornblath DR, Latov N, Weksler ME, Relkin N Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is used increasingly in the management of patients with neurological conditions. The efficacy and safety of IVIg treatment in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have been established clearly in randomized controlled trials and summarized in Cochrane systematic reviews. However, questions remain regarding the dose, timing and duration of IVIg treatment in both disorders. Reports about successful IVIg treatment in other neurological conditions exist, but its use remains investigational. IVIg has been shown to be efficacious as second-line therapy in patients with dermatomyositis and suggested to be of benefit in... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3034380 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:04:16 +0100 3034380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3034379&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883423%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schwartz-Albiez R, Monteiro RC, Rodriguez M, Binder CJ, Shoenfeld Y Natural antibodies are produced by B lymphocytes in the absence of external antigen stimulation. With their ability to recognize self, altered self and foreign antigens, they comprise an important first-line defence against invading pathogens, but are also important for tissue homeostasis. By recognizing oligosaccharides expressed on tumour cells and modified cell surface structures accompanying necrosis, natural antibodies have an important anti-tumorigenic function. IVIg contains a wide spectrum of specificities presented in normal plasma including natural antibodies and has been shown to exert inhibitory effects on tumour cells through a subfraction of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor immunoglobulin ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3034379 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:04:13 +0100 3034379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3034378&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883424%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Misbah S, Sturzenegger MH, Borte M, Shapiro RS, Wasserman RL, Berger M, Ochs HD Immunoglobulin (Ig) administration via the subcutaneous (s.c.) route has become increasingly popular in recent years. The method does not require venous access, is associated with few systemic side effects and has been reported to improve patients' quality of life. One current limitation to its use is the large volumes which need to be administered. Due to the inability of tissue to accept such large volumes, frequent administration at multiple sites is necessary. Most studies conducted to date have investigated the use of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) in patients treated previously with the intravenous (i.v.) formulation. New data now support the use of s.c. administration in previously untre... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3034378 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:04:11 +0100 3034378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3034377&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883425%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fernandez-Cruz E, Kaveri SV, Peter HH, Durandy A, Cantoni N, Quinti I, Sorensen R, Bussel JB, Danieli MG, Winkelmann A, Bayry J, Käsermann F, Späth P, Helbert M, Salama A, van Schaik IN, Yuki N The posters presented at the 6th International Immunoglobulin Symposium covered a wide range of fields and included both basic science and clinical research. From the abstracts accepted for poster presentation, 12 abstracts were selected for oral presentations in three parallel sessions on immunodeficiencies, autoimmunity and basic research. The immunodeficiency presentations dealt with novel, rare class-switch recombination (CSR) deficiencies, attenuation of adverse events following IVIg treatment, association of immunoglobulin (Ig)G trough levels and protection against acute... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3034377 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:04:08 +0100 3034377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3034376&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19883426%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jolles S, Kaveri SV, Orange J PMID: 19883426 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3034376 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:04:06 +0100 3034376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2996544&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F679381.html In this study, we report a case of FPIES to rice in an 8-month-old boy. We performed a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) to rice and we measured the intracellular T cell expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4); IL-10, and interferon γ (IFN-γ) pre-and post-challenge during an acute FPIES reaction and when tolerance to rice had been achieved. For the first time we describe an increase in T cell IL-4 and decrease in IFN-γ expression after a positive challenge with rice (i.e. rice triggered a FPIES attack) and an increase in T cell IL-10 expression after rice challenge 6 months later after a negative challenge (i.e., the child had acquired tolerance to rice) in an 8 month old with documented FPIES to rice. A Th2 activation associated with high IL-4 levels ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2996544 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:38:59 +0100 2996544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993006&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19906099%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Graham BS PMID: 19906099 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993006 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:58:07 +0100 2993006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993005&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19906100%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: PMID: 19906100 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993005 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:58:05 +0100 2993005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2970470&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19891659%26dopt%3DAbstract This study shows for the first time an up-regulation of TLR-4 in circulating mononuclear cells of patients with IgAN, particularly in association with proteinuria and heavy microscopic haematuria. PMID: 19891659 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2970470 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2970470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2955307&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19878509%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigate the interaction between monocyte-derived dendritic cells and T cells in patients with sarcoidosis compared to normal controls (n = 8 each) by examining the kinetics of autologous and allogeneic mixed leucocyte reactions over 9-10 days. We found markedly depressed proliferation kinetics in autologous DC-peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) co-cultures from sarcoid patients compared to normal subjects. In allogeneic experiments PBMCs from patients showed a reduced response to allogeneic DCs from a single donor, but no difference was observed in the ability of patients and control DCs to stimulate proliferation of allogeneic PBMC from a single donor. We conclude that there is a markedly impaired autologous mixed leucocyte reaction (MLR) in sarcoidosis patient... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2955307 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2955307 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2955306&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19878510%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: van de Veerdonk FL, Marijnissen R, Joosten LA, Kullberg BJ, Drenth JP, Netea MG, van der Meer JW Summary Mutations in the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were reported to cause hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES). The present study investigates T helper type 17 (Th17) responses triggered by the relevant stimuli Staphylococcus aureus and Candidia albicans in five 'classical' HIES patients, and a family with three patients who all had a milder HIES phenotype. We demonstrate that patients with various forms of HIES have different defects in their Th17 response to S. aureus and C. albicans, and this is in line with the clinical features of the disease. Interestingly, a partial deficiency of interleukin (IL)-17 production, even when associated with STAT... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2955306 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2955306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2935812&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19860744%26dopt%3DAbstract This study explored the effects of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch on materno-fetal interactions detected as cytokine responses and lymphoproliferation in mixed lymphocyte reactions, and whether this was altered in allergic women (n = 62) who have a Th2 propensity compared with non-allergic women (n = 65). HLA-DRbeta1 mismatch was associated with significantly increased Th1 interferon (IFN)-gamma, Th2 interleukin (IL)-13 and lymphoproliferative responses by both mothers and fetuses. Allergic women showed significantly lower IFN-gamma Th1 production in response to HLA-DRbeta1 mismatch. The infants of these women also showed significantly lower IL-10 and lower IFN-gamma production relative to IL-13. Both HLA-DRbeta1 mismatch and maternal allergy had significant independent effects on ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2935812 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2935812 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920758&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19843088%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Banda NK, Levitt B, Wood AK, Takahashi K, Stahl GL, Holers VM, Arend WP Summary The alternative pathway (AP) of complement alone is capable of mediating immune complex-induced arthritis in the collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model in mice. Whether the classical pathway (CP) or lectin pathway (LP) alone can mediate CAIA is not known. Using mice genetically deficient in different complement components, our results reported herein establish that the CP and LP alone are each incapable of mediating CAIA. A lower level or absence of C3 and/or C5 activation by the CP may be possible explanations for the importance of the AP in CAIA and in many murine models of disease. In addition, other investigators have reported that CP C5 convertase activity is absent in mouse sera. To... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920758 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2920758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920757&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19843090%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wong CK, Wong PT, Tam LS, Li EK, Chen DP, Lam CW Summary Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease associated with aberrant activation of T and B lymphocytes for the production of inflammatory cytokines and autoreactive antibodies. Animal studies of SLE have indicated that Toll-like receptors (TLR) are important in the pathogenesis of murine lupus. In the present clinical study, differential protein expressions of TLR-1-9 of monocytes and different lymphocyte subsets from patients with SLE and normal control subjects were determined by flow cytometry. Results showed that the expression of intracellular TLRs (TLR-3, -8, -9) and extracellular TLRs (TLR-1, -2, -4, -5, -6) were elevated in monocytes, CD4(+) T lymphocytes, CD8(+) T lymphocytes and B lympho... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920757 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2920757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2891072&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19817769%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we have shown that T(regs) regulate NK T cell function negatively in vitro, suggesting a direct interaction between these cell types. In a murine mammary tumour model, we demonstrated that administration of either alpha-GalCer or anti-CD25 antibody alone markedly suppressed tumour formation and pulmonary metastasis, and resulted in an increase in the survival rate up to 44% (from a baseline of 0%). When treatments were combined, depletion of T(regs) boosted the anti-tumour effect of alpha-GalCer, and the survival rate jumped to 85%. Our results imply a potential application of combining T(reg) cell depletion with alpha-GalCer to stimulate NK T cells for cancer therapy. PMID: 19817769 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2891072 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2891072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2872761&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19807734%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang Y, Ito S, Chino Y, Goto D, Matsumoto I, Murata H, Tsutsumi A, Hayashi T, Uchida K, Usui J, Yamagata K, Sumida T Summary To determine the cytokine balance in patients with lupus nephritis (LN), we analysed kidney-infiltrating T cells. Renal biopsy samples from 15 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients were used. In accordance with the classification of International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society, they were categorized into Class III, Class III+V (Class III-predominant group, n = 4), Class IV, Class IV+V (Class IV-predominant group, n = 7) and Class V (n = 4) groups. The single-cell samples of both the glomelular and interstitial infiltrating cells were captured by laser-microdissection. The glomerular and interstitial infiltrating T cells produced inte... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2872761 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2872761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782778&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737224%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Martinelli E, De Palma R, Orditura M, De Vita F, Ciardiello F The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor involved in the proliferation and survival of cancer cells. EGFR is the first molecular target against which monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been developed for cancer therapy. Here we review the mechanisms underlying the effects of EGFR-specific mAb in cancer therapy. The efficacy of EGFR-specific mAb in cancer occurs thanks to inhibition of EGFR-generated signalling; furthermore, the effects of antibodies on the immune system seem to play an important role in determining the overall anti-tumour response. In this review, attention is focused on cetuximab and panitumumab, two mAb introduced recently into clinical practice for tre... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782778 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:48 +0100 2782778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782777&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737225%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Desai D, Brightling C Asthma is a common disease with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Up to 10% of these patients have asthma that is refractory to current therapy. This group have a disproportionate use of health care resources attributed to asthma, have significant morbidity and mortality and therefore represent an unmet clinical need. Asthma is a complex heterogeneous condition that is characterized by typical symptoms and disordered airway physiology set against a background of airway inflammation and remodelling. The inflammatory process underlying asthma is co-ordinated by a cytokine network. Modulating this network with biological therapy presents a new paradigm for asthma treatment. Clinical trials undertaken to date have underscored the complexity of the inflammat... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782777 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:46 +0100 2782777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782776&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737226%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hughes DA, Norton R Vitamin D is now known to be of physiological importance outside of bone health and calcium homeostasis, and there is mounting evidence that it plays a beneficial role in the prevention and/or treatment of a wide range of diseases. In this brief review the known effects of vitamin D on immune function are described in relation to respiratory health. Vitamin D appears capable of inhibiting pulmonary inflammatory responses while enhancing innate defence mechanisms against respiratory pathogens. Population-based studies showing an association between circulating vitamin D levels and lung function provide strong justification for randomized controlled clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation in patients with respiratory diseases to assess both efficacy and ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782776 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:44 +0100 2782776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782775&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737227%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, GC treatment restores the impaired T(reg) function in patients with RR-MS in its acute phase. PMID: 19737227 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782775 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:41 +0100 2782775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782774&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737228%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marzano AV, Tedeschi A, Spinelli D, Fanoni D, Crosti C, Cugno M The main autoimmune blistering skin disorders are pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and bullous pemphigoid (BP). They differ in the inflammatory infiltrate, which is more intense in BP. Inflammation is known to activate coagulation in several disorders. Local and systemic activation of coagulation was evaluated in BP and PV. We studied 20 BP patients (10 active and 10 remittent), 23 PV patients (13 active and 10 remittent) and 10 healthy subjects. The coagulation markers prothrombin fragment F1+2 and D-dimer were measured by enzyme-immunoassays in plasma. The presence of tissue factor (TF), the main initiator of blood coagulation, was evaluated immunohistochemically in skin specimens from 10 patients with active PV, 10 pati... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782774 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:39 +0100 2782774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782773&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737229%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report we demonstrate that MSCs have the capacity for either stimulating or inhibiting myelin basic protein-specific T lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner and modulate antigen-stimulated T cells to differentiate into either T helper type 17 or regulatory T cells, respectively, via pathways involving transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin-6. These results may lead better utility of MSCs as a treatment for autoimmune disease. PMID: 19737229 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782773 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:37 +0100 2782773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782772&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737230%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Esquivel-Solís H, Quiñones-Falconi F, Zarain-Herzberg A, Amieva-Fernández RI, López-Vidal Y Studies of patients with active tuberculosis (TB) and infected healthy individuals have shown that interferon (IFN)-gamma is present in sites of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in comparable levels. This suggests that there is a deficiency in the macrophage response to IFN-gamma in TB patients. We used recombinant human IFN-gamma to stimulate adherent monocyte-derived macrophages from three groups of people: patients with active tuberculosis (TBP), their healthy household contacts (HHC) and healthy uninfected controls from the community (CC). We then evaluated the ability of the macrophages to inhibit the growth of M. tuberculosis H37Rv as well as their cytokine... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782772 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:34 +0100 2782772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782771&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737231%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Costa P, Bozzano F, Fenoglio D, Beltrame A, Cenderello G, Di Biagio A, Ferrea G, Pagano G, De Maria A Anti-retroviral treatment (ART) usually results in efficient control of virus replication and in immune reconstitution. Among potential adverse effects, impairment of immune responses in terms of CD4(+) T cell counts has been attributed to some ART regimens, as with didanosine-tenofovir. We studied the functional integrity of adaptive and innate immunity during didanosine-tenofovir-containing ART. Two groups of extensively pretreated patients completing at least 48 weeks of ART containing either lamivudine-didanosine (n = 21) or tenofovir-didanosine (n = 25) were identified. In addition to standard clinical immune and virological parameters, we performed a flow cytometric anal... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782771 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:32 +0100 2782771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782770&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737232%26dopt%3DAbstract Mycobacterial antigen-induced T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 reactivity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from diabetic and non-diabetic tuberculosis patients and Mycobacterium bovis bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated healthy subjects. Clin Exp Immunol. 2009 Oct;158(1):64-73 Authors: Al-Attiyah RJ, Mustafa AS Patients with diabetes mellitus are more susceptible to tuberculosis (TB), and the clinical conditions of diabetic TB patients deteriorate faster than non-diabetic TB patients, but the immunological basis for this phenomenon is not understood clearly. Given the role of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in providing protection against TB, we investigated whether CMI responses in diabetic TB patients are compromised. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtaine... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782770 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:29 +0100 2782770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782769&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737233%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this study was to identify Gc-insensitive inflammatory mediators produced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated alveolar macrophages from COPD patients. LPS-stimulated alveolar macrophages from 15 COPD patients, nine smokers (S) and nine healthy non-smokers (HNS) were stimulated with LPS with or without dexamethasone (100 and 1000 nM). Luminex and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to measure 23 inflammatory mediators. After LPS stimulation there were lower levels of inflammatory mediators in COPD patients and S compared to HNS. There was no difference between groups for the effects of dexamethasone at either concentration (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and growth-related oncogene (GRO)-alpha displayed th... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782769 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:27 +0100 2782769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782768&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737234%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kondo Y, Yasui K, Yashiro M, Tsuge M, Kotani N, Morishima T Multi-nucleated giant cells (MGCs; Langhans-type cell), formed from macrophage fusion, are recognized as a hallmark histological feature in chronic inflammation. However, their precise pathological role is still poorly understood, especially for microorganism pathogens in the neonatal immune system, which are capable of surviving intracellularly in phagocytes. To conduct a partial evaluation of the monocyte function of neonates, we investigated the ability of human cord blood monocytes to form MGCs in vitro by stimulating various cytokines and comparing them with adult peripheral blood monocytes. Monocytes from cord blood and adult peripheral blood were isolated and cultured for 14 days with cytokines known to induce ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782768 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:25 +0100 2782768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782767&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737235%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Haanstra KG, Endell J, Estévâo D, Kondova I, Jonker M Blockade of co-stimulation signals between T cells and antigen-presenting cells could be an important approach for treatment of autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. Recently a series of small compound inhibitors which bind human CD80 (B7-1) and inhibit T cell co-stimulation has been described. To investigate their potency for clinical use, one of these compounds, RhuDex, was evaluated for reactivity with rhesus monkey CD80. The in vitro biological effect on rhesus monkey lymphocytes, the potency for suppression of an inflammatory recall response and the protein-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in the skin were studied. In a rhesus monkey T cell co-stimulation assay RhuDex inhibited pro... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782767 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:22 +0100 2782767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782766&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737236%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Heidt S, Roelen DL, Eijsink C, Eikmans M, Claas FH, Mulder A Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is used for treatment of a variety of immunological disorders and in transplantation. As one of its applications in transplantation is the reduction of donor specific antibodies in the circulation, we examined the direct effect of IVIg on essential parameters of human B cell responses in vitro. Purified human B cells, human B cell hybridomas and T cells were cultured in the presence of graded concentrations of IVIg to test its effect on their proliferative capacity. To address the effect of IVIg on immunoglobulin production, we designed a novel technique making use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess IgM and IgG levels. IVIg failed to inhibit proliferation of human B ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782766 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:20 +0100 2782766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782765&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737237%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Frisullo G, Nociti V, Iorio R, Patanella AK, Plantone D, Bianco A, Marti A, Cammarota G, Tonali PA, Batocchi AP Coeliac disease (CD) is considered a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, and up-regulation of T-bet and phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription (pSTAT)1, key transcription factors for the development of T helper type 1 (Th1) cells, has been described in the mucosa of patients with untreated CD. Using transcription factor analysis, we investigated whether T-bet and pSTAT1 expressions are up-regulated in the peripheral blood of CD patients and correlate with disease activity. Using flow cytometry, we analysed T-bet, pSTAT1 and pSTAT3 expression in CD4(+), CD8(+) T cells, CD19(+) B cells and monocytes from peripheral blood of 15 untreated and 1... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782765 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:18 +0100 2782765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782764&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737238%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Massonnet B, Delwail A, Ayrault JM, Chagneau-Derrode C, Lecron JC, Silvain C Alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is characterized by increased circulating levels of immunoglobulins (Igs). ALC patients undergo bacterial translocation evidenced by the presence of bacterial DNA in peripheral blood. Bacterial pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan (PGN) and unmethylated cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) DNA are ligands of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, TLR-2 and TLR-9, respectively. Although TLR activation results generally in the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, activation of B cells through TLR-7 or TLR-9 is involved in their maturation and Ig synthesis. The aim of the present study was to assess Ig synthesis by ALC B ce... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782764 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:15 +0100 2782764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782763&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737239%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hassanin H, Serba S, Schmidt J, Märten A Telomerase activity is over-expressed in nearly all pancreatic carcinomas, but not in chronic pancreatitis. Here, we investigated various protocols for expansion of telomerase-specific T cells for adoptive cell transfer and their use in a syngeneic pancreatic carcinoma mouse model. Telomerase-specific T cells were generated by stimulation of splenocytes from peptide-immunized donor mice with either interleukin (IL)-2, IL-15, artificial antigen-presenting cells, anti-signalling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) microbeads or allogeneic dendritic cells in combination with a limited dilution assay. T cells were tested for antigen specificity in vitro and for anti-tumour activity in syngeneic mice with orthotopically implanted tumo... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782763 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:12 +0100 2782763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782762&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737240%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, this is the first report showing a differential site-specific recruitment of T cells to the bronchi in a CD26-deficient rat substrain during an asthma-like inflammation. PMID: 19737240 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782762 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:10 +0100 2782762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782761&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19737241%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, expression levels of various chemokines and chemokine receptors were increased in anti-MPO NCGN, and expressed particularly in glomeruli. These chemokines and receptors may serve as potential targets for treatment. Inhibition of a single target, CXCR2, did not attenuate anti-MPO NCGN. Combinatorial interventions may be necessary to avoid redundancy. PMID: 19737241 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782761 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:07 +0100 2782761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692459&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664139%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Moretta A, Pende D, Locatelli F, Moretta L A number of experimental studies have shown that natural killer (NK) cells can eliminate cancer cells and the mechanisms involved in this effect have been uncovered during the last two decades. Clinical data from haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) revealed that NK cells were responsible for remarkably favourable effects in both adult and paediatric high-risk leukaemias. NK receptors specific for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, including killer immunoglobulin (Ig)-like receptors (KIR) and CD94/NKG2A, play a major role in the anti-leukaemia effect (mediating either inhibitory or activating signals). Haplo- HSCT requires a heavy conditioning regimen for the patient and the use o... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692459 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:43 +0100 2692459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692458&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664140%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bayas A, Stasiolek M, Kruse N, Toyka KV, Selmaj K, Gold R Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are of crucial importance in immune regulation and response to microbial factors. In multiple sclerosis (MS), pDCs from peripheral blood showed an immature phenotype, but its role in susceptibility to MS is not determined. Because infectious diseases are established triggers of exacerbations in MS, in this study we have characterized the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) and the maturation and functional properties of peripheral blood pDCs from clinically stable, untreated MS patients in response to signals of innate immunity. After stimulation of TLR-9, interferon (IFN)-alpha production by pDCs was significantly lower in MS (n = 12) compared to healthy controls (n = 9). In an a... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692458 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:41 +0100 2692458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692457&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664141%26dopt%3DAbstract Cells with regulatory function of the innate and adaptive immune system in primary Sjögren's syndrome. Clin Exp Immunol. 2009 Sep;157(3):343-9 Authors: Szodoray P, Papp G, Horvath IF, Barath S, Sipka S, Nakken B, Zeher M The aim of the present study was to describe subsets of cells with regulatory properties in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), and to correlate these cell populations with clinical symptoms. Among the 32 investigated patients, 23 had extraglandular manifestations (EGMs), while nine had only glandular symptoms. Twenty healthy individuals served as controls. The percentages of natural killer (NK), natural killer T cells (NK T), interleukin (IL)-10 producing T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells and CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (T(reg)) cells were determine... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692457 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:38 +0100 2692457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692456&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664142%26dopt%3DAbstract We report here that injection of iDCs pulsed with chick type II collagen (CII) delayed the onset significantly and suppressed the severity of spontaneous polychondritis (SP) in the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ6alphabeta8alphabeta transgenic mouse model. Bone marrow-derived iDCs were pulsed in vitro with CII and transferred into 6-week-old HLA-DQ6alphabeta8alphabeta transgenic mice. Mice receiving CII-pulsed iDCs did not display any clinical signs of disease until 5.5 months of age, indicating the ability of the DC vaccine to delay significantly the onset of SP. Control groups receiving unpulsed iDCs or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) developed polyarthritis at 3.5 months, as we have reported previously. The severity and incidence of disease was reduced in mice injected with CII-pulsed ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692456 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:36 +0100 2692456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692455&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664143%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang W, Moritoki Y, Tsuneyama K, Yang GX, Ilan Y, Lian ZX, Gershwin ME We have demonstrated spontaneous development of autoimmune cholangitis, similar to human primary biliary cirrhosis, in mice expressing a dominant negative form of the transforming growth factor-beta receptor (dnTGF-betaRII) restricted to T cells. The autoimmune cholangitis appears to be mediated by autoreactive CD8(+) T lymphocytes that home to the portal tracts and biliary system. Because the liver pathology is primarily secondary to CD8(+) T cells, we have determined herein whether administration of beta-glucosylceramide (GC), a naturally occurring plant glycosphingolipid, alters the natural history of disease in this model. We chose GC because previous work has demonstrated its ability to alter CD8(+) T... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692455 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:34 +0100 2692455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692454&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664144%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fulcher DA, Avery DT, Fewings NL, Berglund LJ, Wong S, Riminton DS, Adelstein S, Tangye SG Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a B cell immunodeficiency disorder characterized frequently by failure of memory B cell development and antibody secretion. A unifying cellular pathogenesis for CVID has not been forthcoming, but given the immunoregulatory role of invariant NK (iNK) T cells and their absence in several other immunodeficiencies, we quantified these cells in the blood of 58 CVID patients. There was a marked decrease in the proportion of iNK T cells in CVID patients compared with controls. This was particularly notable in those with low isotype-switched memory B cells, but subset analysis demonstrated no difference when stratified by specific clinical features. We ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692454 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:31 +0100 2692454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692453&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664145%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ziesché E, Scheiermann P, Bachmann M, Sadik CD, Hofstetter C, Zwissler B, Pfeilschifter J, Mühl H Interleukin (IL)-22 production triggered by innate immune mechanisms has been identified as key to efficient intestinal anti-bacterial host defence and preservation of homeostasis. We hypothesized that glucocorticoid therapy may impair IL-22 expression, which should promote intestinal epithelial damage with the potential of subsequent bacterial translocation. High-dose corticosteroid therapy in Crohn's disease has been associated with an increased rate of abscess formation and ultimately with a higher risk of developing postoperative infectious complications, including abdominal sepsis. Thus, we sought to investigate effects of the prototypic glucocorticoid dexamethasone... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692453 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:29 +0100 2692453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692452&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664146%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mendes-Aguiar Cde O, Gomes-Silva A, Nunes E, Pereira-Carvalho R, Nogueira RS, Oliveira-Neto Mde P, Bertho AL, Da-Cruz AM The cutaneous leucocyte-associated antigen receptor (CLA) can direct Leishmania-specific T lymphocytes towards inflamed skin lesions. Homing receptors [CLA, lymphocyte-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) or CD62L] were analysed in lymphocytes from blood and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) lesions. CL patients with active lesions (A-CL) presented lower levels of T lymphocytes expressing the CLA(+) phenotype (T CD4(+) = 10.4% +/- 7.5% and T CD8(+) = 5.8% +/- 3.4%) than did healthy subjects (HS) (T CD4(+) = 19.3% +/- 13.1% and T CD8(+) = 21.6% +/- 8.8%), notably in T CD8(+) (P < 0.001). In clinically cured patients these percentages returned to levels observed in HS. ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692452 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:25 +0100 2692452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692451&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664147%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yokobori N, Schierloh P, Geffner L, Balboa L, Romero M, Musella R, Castagnino J, De Stéfano G, Alemán M, de la Barrera S, Abbate E, Sasiain MC Tuberculous pleurisy is a naturally occurring site of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Herein, we describe the expression of activation, natural killer (NK) and cell migration markers, as well as effector functions from gammadeltaT cells in peripheral blood (PB) and pleural effusion (PE) from tuberculosis patients (TB). We observed a decreased percentage of circulating gammadeltaT from TB patients and differential expression of NK as well as of chemokine receptors on PB and PE. Two subsets of gammadeltaT cells were differentiated by the CD3/gammadeltaT cell receptor (gammadeltaTCR) complex. The gammadeltaTCR(low) su... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692451 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:22 +0100 2692451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692450&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664148%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Messias-Reason IJ, Schafranski MD, Kremsner PG, Kun JF Ficolins are pattern-recognition proteins involved in innate immunity, which upon binding to their specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns on the microbial surfaces trigger the immune response either by binding to collectin cellular receptors or by initiating the complement lectin pathway. In humans, three ficolin genes have been identified, which encode ficolin-1 (M-ficolin), ficolin-2 (L-ficolin) and ficolin-3 (H-ficolin or Hakata antigen). Ficolin-2 was shown to bind to lipoteichoic acid, a cell wall constituent in all Gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes, which is the aetiological agent of rheumatic fever (RF) and its most severe sequelae, chronic rheumatic heart disease (CRHD). Here we investi... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692450 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:20 +0100 2692450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692449&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664149%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined the expression of CCL19 and CCL21 in mononuclear cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) in HIV-infected patients before and during highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). We also examined the ability of CCL19/CCL21 to promote inflammatory responses in these patients. PBMC from untreated HIV-infected patients (n = 29) released enhanced levels of CCL19 spontaneously compared with cells from controls (n = 20), particularly in those with symptomatic disease (n = 15, P < 0.01 versus controls). During HAART (n = 9), there was a decrease in the spontaneous CCL19 release and an increase in the phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated CCL19 release in both PBMC (P < 0.01) and BMMC (P < 0.05). In patients with enhanced HIV repl... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692449 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:16 +0100 2692449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692448&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664150%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study MBL was found to be present at a low concentration in semen samples in the range 1.2-24.9 ng/ml. Co-incubation of bacteria with semen resulted in the binding of MBL to the bacterial surface. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a common cause of genitourinary infection. MBL bound to N. gonorrhoeae with strain-to-strain variation in the intensity of binding and nature of the bacterial receptor. Pretreatment with MBL concentrations similar to those found in human serum modulated the adhesion of N. gonorrhoeae strain FA1090 but not strain MS11 to epithelial cells. This effect was dose-dependent. This work demonstrates that MBL is present in human semen and modifies cellular responses to N. gonorrhoeae in a concentration-dependent manner. PMID: 19664150 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cli... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692448 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:14 +0100 2692448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692447&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664151%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, this study reveals a role for the NALP3 inflammasome complex in inflammatory periodontal disease, and provides a mechanistic insight to the host immune responses involved in the pathogenesis of the disease by demonstrating the modulation of this cytokine-signalling pathway by bacterial challenge. PMID: 19664151 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692447 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:11 +0100 2692447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692446&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664152%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Baumgart DC, Thomas S, Przesdzing I, Metzke D, Bielecki C, Lehmann SM, Lehnardt S, Dörffel Y, Sturm A, Scheffold A, Schmitz J, Radbruch A Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) results from a breakdown of tolerance towards the indigenous flora in genetically susceptible hosts. Failure of dendritic cells (DC) to interpret molecular microbial patterns appropriately when directing innate and adaptive immune responses is conceivable. Primary (conventional, non-monocyte generated) CD1c(+)CD11c(+)CD14(-)CD16(-)CD19(-) myeloid blood or mucosal dendritic cells (mDC) from 76 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission, during flare-ups (FU) and 76 healthy or non-IBD controls were analysed by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) flow cytometry and real... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692446 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:08 +0100 2692446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2692445&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19664153%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we examined the inhibition of CCR5 in combination with the treatment with rapa in cardiac transplantation. Fully major histocompatibility complex-mismatched murine cardiac allograft models were randomized to five groups. They were administered with anti-CCR5 antibody or control antibody and rapa or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), respectively. An additional group was treated with anti-CCR5 antibody, rapa and anti-CD25 antibody. Allograft rejection was investigated by flow cytometric analyses and enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Allografts treated with anti-CCR5 antibody plus rapa showed significantly prolonged survival (83 +/- 3 days, P < 0.001) compared with control antibody plus PBS-treated allografts (6 +/- 1 days). Treatment with anti-CCR5 monoclonal antibody (mAb) plu... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2692445 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:52:05 +0100 2692445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611853&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604255%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kaufman DR, Barouch DH Many pathogens use mucosal surfaces to enter and propagate within the host, making particularly desirable vaccines that target immune responses specifically to mucosal compartments. The majority of mucosal vaccine design strategies to date have been empirical in nature. However, an emerging body of basic immunological knowledge is providing new insights into the regulation of tissue-specific lymphocyte trafficking and differentiation. These insights afford the opportunity for the rational design of vaccines that focus immune responses at mucosal surfaces. Mucosal cellular immunity may prove critical for protection in the context of HIV infection, and thus there has been considerable interest in developing vaccines that target HIV-specific cellular immune... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611853 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:53 +0100 2611853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611852&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604256%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rhee EG, Barouch DH Innate immunity is critical for shaping vaccine-elicited adaptive immune responses. Several classes of immune sensors, including Toll-like receptors, retinoic acid-inducible gene-I-like receptors, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors and cytosolic DNA receptors mediate important innate immune pathways and provide potential targets for novel adjuvant development. Understanding how innate immunity modulates adaptive immune responses will probably be important for optimizing vaccine candidates. Here, we review recent advances in innate immunity, focusing upon their potential applications in developing adjuvants and vectors for HIV vaccines. PMID: 19604256 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611852 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:51 +0100 2611852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611851&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604257%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hu C, Wong FS, Wen L B cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of both systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Autoreactive B cells not only produce autoantibodies, but are also specialized to present specific autoantigens efficiently to T cells. Furthermore, these B cells can secrete proinflammatory cytokines and can amplify the vicious cycle of self-destruction. Thus, B cell-directed therapies are potentially an important approach for treating autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, like T cells, there are subsets of B cells that produce anti-inflammatory cytokines and are immunosuppressive. These regulatory B cell subsets can protect against and ameliorate autoimmune diseases. Thus targeting B cells therapeutically will require this balance to be considere... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611851 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:45 +0100 2611851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611850&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604258%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Leandro MJ, de la Torre I B cell depletion therapy with rituximab (BCDT) is a licensed treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and has shown promising results in the treatment of severe, refractory patients with other autoantibody-associated autoimmune diseases (AAID). The exact role that B cells play in the pathogenesis of AAID and consequently the mechanisms by which BCDT is effective are not known. The two more widely discussed hypotheses are that BCDT is effective because it removes the precursors of plasma cells producing pathogenic autoantibody species, or because it depletes a critical mass of autoreactive B cell clones that present antigen to pathogenic autoreactive T cells. This review will focus on the effects of BCDT and whether the response of patients with AAID to BCDT... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611850 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:43 +0100 2611850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611849&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604259%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Levesque MC B cell-directed therapies are promising treatments for autoimmune disorders. Besides targeting CD20, newer B cell-directed therapies are in development that target other B cell surface molecules and differentiation factors. An increasing number of B cell-directed therapies are in development for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Like rituximab, which is approved as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), many of these newer agents deplete B cells or target pathways essential for B cell development and function; however, many questions remain about their optimal use in the clinic and about the role of B cells in disease pathogenesis. Other therapies besides rituximab that target CD20 are the furthest along in development. Besides targeting CD20, the newer B ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611849 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:40 +0100 2611849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611848&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604260%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nalbandian A, Crispín JC, Tsokos GC The emerging role of interleukin (IL)-17 as a hallmark proinflammatory cytokine of the adaptive immune system, produced primarily by a new T helper cell subset termed 'Th17', has received considerable attention. Differentiation of Th17 cells is driven by the simultaneous presence of transforming growth factor-beta and certain inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-6, IL-21), and recent studies have shown that inflammation instigated by IL-17-producing cells is central to the development and pathogenesis of several human autoimmune diseases and animal models of autoimmunity. In this review, we focus on the information regarding IL-17 and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease. The work that has explored the development... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611848 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:38 +0100 2611848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611847&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604261%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Anwar S, Prince LR, Foster SJ, Whyte MK, Sabroe I Recent developments in the study of host-pathogen interactions have fundamentally altered our understanding of the nature of Staphylococcus aureus infection, and previously held tenets regarding the role of the granulocyte are being cast aside. Novel mechanisms of pathogenesis are becoming evident, revealing the extent to which S. aureus can evade neutrophil responses successfully by resisting microbicides, surviving intracellularly and subverting cell death pathways. Developing a detailed understanding of these complex strategies is especially relevant in light of increasing staphylococcal virulence and antibiotic resistance, and the knowledge that dysfunctional neutrophil responses contribute materially to poor host outcomes.... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611847 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:35 +0100 2611847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611846&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604262%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Smalley SG, Barrow PA, Foster N Since the late 1970s a number of laboratories have studied the role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in inflammation and immunity. These studies have highlighted the dramatic effect of VIP on immune cell activation and function, and studies using animal models of disease have indicated that VIP has significant therapeutic and prophylactic potential. This review will focus on the effects of VIP on innate immune cell function and discuss the therapeutic potential for VIP in inflammatory diseases of humans. PMID: 19604262 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611846 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:33 +0100 2611846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611845&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604263%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Abebe F, Bjune G Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of the most important infectious diseases globally. Immune effector mechanisms that lead to protection or development of clinical disease are not fully known. It is generally accepted that cell-mediated immunity (CMI) plays a pivotal role in controlling Mtb infection, whereas antibody responses are believed to have no protective role. This generalization is based mainly on early classical experiments that lacked standard protocols, and the T helper type 1 (Th1)/Th2 paradigm. According to the Th1/Th2 paradigm Th1 cells protect the host from intracellular pathogens, whereas Th2 cells protect form extracellular pathogens. During the last two decades, the Th1/Th2 paradigm has dominated not only ou... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611845 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:30 +0100 2611845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611844&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604264%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bournazos S, Woof JM, Hart SP, Dransfield I Receptors for immunoglobulins (Fc receptors) play a central role during an immune response, as they mediate the specific recognition of antigens of almost infinite diversity by leucocytes, thereby linking the humoral and cellular components of immunity. Indeed, engagement of Fc receptors by immunoglobulins initiates a range of immunoregulatory processes that might also play a role in disease pathogenesis. In the circulation, five main types of immunoglobulins (Ig) exist - namely IgG, IgA, IgE, IgM and IgD and receptors with the ability to recognize and bind to IgG (Fc gamma receptor family), IgE (Fc epsilon RI and CD23), IgA (CD89; Fc alpha/microR) and IgM (Fc alpha/microR) have been identified and characterized. However, it is aston... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611844 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:28 +0100 2611844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611843&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604265%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hillman M, Törn C, Landin-Olsson M, Autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GADA) are found frequently in patients with autoimmune diabetes. Immunoglobulin (Ig)G(1) is the most frequent subclass among the GADA IgG subclasses. IgG(4) is a more common subclass in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) at clinical onset compared to type 1 diabetes. The aim of this work was to study the different GADA-IgG subclass profiles during a 3-year follow-up in these groups of autoimmune diabetes. Adult-onset subjects, classified as either type 1 (n = 40) or LADA (n = 43), were included in the study. New samples were collected every year from these patients. In addition to conventional GADA analyses, GADA-IgG subclasses were also analysed with a radioimmunoprecipit... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611843 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:26 +0100 2611843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611842&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604266%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, IL-17-positive cells are associated with the chronic inflammation of bile ducts in PBC which is associated causally with the biliary innate immune responses to PAMPs. PMID: 19604266 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611842 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:23 +0100 2611842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611841&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604267%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ortiz RH, Leon DA, Estevez HO, Martin A, Herrera JL, Romo LF, Portaels F, Pando RH Buruli ulcer (BU) is the third most common mycobacterial disease in immunocompetent hosts. BU is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, which produces skin ulcers and necrosis at the site of infection. The principal virulence factor of M. ulcerans is a polyketide-derived macrolide named mycolactone, which has cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activities. We determined the severity of inflammation, histopathology and bacillary loads in the subcutaneous footpad tissue of BALB/c mice infected with 11 different M. ulcerans isolates from diverse geographical areas. Strains from Africa (Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast) induced the highest inflammation, necrosis and bacillary loads, whereas the strains collected fr... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611841 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:20 +0100 2611841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611840&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604268%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Acevedo N, Mercado D, Vergara C, Sánchez J, Kennedy MW, Jiménez S, Fernández AM, Gutiérrez M, Puerta L, Caraballo L The 13q33-34 region harbours a susceptibility locus to Ascaris lumbricoides, although the underlying genes are unknown. Immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG confer protective immunity and here we sought to investigate in an endemic population whether LIG4, TNFSF13B and IRS2 genes influence IgE and IgG levels against Ascaris and the ABA-1 allergen as a putative resistance marker. Mite-allergic asthmatic patients were analysed for potential relationships between Ascaris predisposition and allergy. One thousand and sixty-four subjects from Cartagena, Colombia, were included. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using TaqMan assays. Antib... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611840 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:17 +0100 2611840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611839&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604269%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pérez AR, Fontanella GH, Nocito AL, Revelli S, Bottasso OA Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is crucial for resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi acute infection, but there is scant information on its role during the chronic phase. To address this issue, we analysed whether a short treatment with a TNF-alpha blocker affected the course and characteristics of chronic disease in a rat experimental model of T. cruzi infection. An anti-TNF-alpha agent (infliximab) was administered during the chronic phase for a period of 4 weeks (3 mg/kg/week), while control infected rats were inoculated with saline physiological solution. Search for parasites yielded non-successful results in all infected groups, irrespective of treatment. Nevertheless, the presence of T. cruzi kDNA in heart tiss... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611839 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:14 +0100 2611839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611838&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604270%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lau AC, Duong TT, Ito S, Wilson GJ, Yeung RS Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease of children in North America. It is characterized by a massive immune activation and multi-system vasculitis, which evolves into a site-specific inflammatory response focused at the coronary arteries. Coronary artery (CA) inflammation leads to elastin breakdown, destruction of the vessel wall and aneurysm formation. We have demonstrated recently the pivotal role of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-mediated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity in the pathogenesis of elastin breakdown in a murine model of KD, Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract-induced coronary arteritis. Using this model, we evaluated the in vitro effects of doxycycline, an antibiotic with ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611838 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:12 +0100 2611838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611837&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604271%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thalidomide (THD) on interstitial lung fibrosis (ILF). In vitro, human fetal lung fibroblast (HFL-F) to myofibroblast (MF) trans-differentiation was induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1. The effects of THD on trans-differentiation process or differentiated MF were evaluated by measuring hydroxyproline (HYP) content by alkaline hydrolysis colorimetry, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) protein by Western blot and alpha-SMA and pro-collagen III mRNA expressions by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; in vivo, a mouse model of ILF was generated by daily subcutaneous injection of bleomycin (BLM) in female C3H mice. Gastric perfusion of THD began 1 week prior to injection and lasted for 8... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611837 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:08 +0100 2611837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611836&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19604272%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Di Stefano A, Caramori G, Gnemmi I, Contoli M, Vicari C, Capelli A, Magno F, D'Anna SE, Zanini A, Brun P, Casolari P, Chung KF, Barnes PJ, Papi A, Adcock I, Balbi B There are increased numbers of activated T lymphocytes in the bronchial mucosa of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. T helper type 17 (Th17) cells release interleukin (IL)-17 as their effector cytokine under the control of IL-22 and IL-23. Furthermore, Th17 numbers are increased in some chronic inflammatory conditions. To investigate the expression of interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22 and IL-23 and of retinoic orphan receptor RORC2, a marker of Th17 cells, in bronchial biopsies from patients with stable COPD of different severity compared with age-matched control subjects. The ex... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611836 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:02:05 +0100 2611836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2595113&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F850623.html Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a definite causative factor for gastric ulcers (GUs). In the present study we detected a specific antigen of gastric epithelial cells (HGC-27) using cell ELISA, which was recognized by the sera of GU patients (n=20) but not in patients with chronic gastritis (CG; n=20) or in healthy volunteers (HC; n=10). This antigen was over-expressed by a stressful (heat-stressed) environment, and was identified as elongation factor 2 kinase (EF-2K) by western blotting. The GU patients' lymphocytes stimulated by H. pylori specifically disrupted heat-stressed HGC-27 cells in a cytotoxic assay. In flow cytometry, the effector cells (lymphocytes) from GU patients were significantly differentiated to T helper type 1 lymphocyte (Th1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2595113 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:34:02 +0100 2595113 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2592283&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F803409.html Conclusions. The lack of anti-LPL antibodies in Takayasu's disease implies distinct mechanisms underlying dyslipidemia compared to systemic lupus erythematosus. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2592283 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:34:03 +0100 2592283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464529&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2007%2F017315.abs.html In conclusion, TK inhibition of VEGFR with AZD2171 does not restore the defective PBDC differentiation observed in advanced cancer patients. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464529 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464528&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2007%2F089195.abs.html The main function of our immune system is to protect us from invading pathogens and microorganisms by destroying infected cells, while minimizing collateral damage to tissues. In order to maintain this balance between immunity and tolerance, current understanding of the immune system attributes a major role to regulatory T cells (Tregs) in controlling both immunity and tolerance. Various subsets of Tregs have been identified based on their expression of cell surface markers, production of cytokines, and mechanisms of action. In brief, naturally occurring thymic-derived CD4+CD25+ Tregs are characterized by constitutive expression of the transcription factor FOXP3, while antigen-induced or adaptive Tregs are mainly identified by expression of immunosuppressive cytokines (interleukin-10 (IL-1... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464528 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464527&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2007%2F076396.abs.html In conclusion, our results indicate that Th1-, Th2-, and Th3-type cytokines are altered in the depressed patients and some of them might have been corrected by sertraline treatment. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464527 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464526&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F384982.html In this study, we compared two different endothelial cellular models: transfected human brain microvascular endothelial cells (THBMECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). With each grow under optimal conditions, confluent THBMEC cultures showed continuous occludin and ZO-1 immunoreactivity, while HUVEC cultures exhibited punctate ZO-1 expression at sites of cell-cell contact only. Confluent THBMEC cultures on 24-well collagen-coated transwell inserts had significantly higher transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and lower solute permeability than HUVECs. Confluent THBMECs were more restrictive for mononuclear cell migration than HUVECs. Only THBMECs utilized abluminal CCL5 to facilitate T-lymphocyte migration in vitro although both THBMECs and HUVECs employed CCL3... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464526 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464525&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F639803.html Endogenous intestinal microflora and environmental factors, such as diet, play a central role in immune homeostasis and reactivity. In addition, microflora and diet both influence body weight and insulin-resistance, notably through an action on adipose cells. Moreover, it is known since a long time that any disturbance in metabolism, like obesity, is associated with immune alteration, for example, inflammation. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on how nutrients-derived factors (mostly focusing on fatty acids and glucose) impact the innate and acquired immune systems, including the gut immune system and its associated bacterial flora. We will try to show the reader how the highly energy-demanding immune cells use glucose as a main source of fuel in a way similar to that of ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464525 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464524&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F794050.html Analysis of the effects of cyclosporine A (25–28 mgkg−1) and/or methotrexate (0.1 mgkg−1) treatments on dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) and prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) activities and on algesic response in two distinct status of murine macrophages (Mφs) was undertaken. In resident Mφs, DPPIV and POP were affected by neither individual nor combined treatments. In thioglycolate-elicited Mφs, methotrexate increased DPPIV (99–110%) and POP (60%), while cyclosporine inhibited POP (21%). Combined treatment with both drugs promoted a rise (51–84%) of both enzyme activities. Only cyclosporine decreased (42%) the tolerance to algesic stimulus. Methotrexate was revealed to exert prevalent action over that ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464524 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464523&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F721950.html Invasive candidiasis is a frequent and often fatal complication in immunocompromised and critically ill patients. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis remains difficult due to the lack of specific clinical symptoms and a definitive diagnostic method. The detection of antibodies against different Candida antigens may help in the diagnosis. However, the methods traditionally used for the detection of antibodies have been based on crude antigenic fungal extracts, which usually show low-reproducibility and cross-reactivity problems. The development of molecular biology techniques has allowed the production of recombinant antigens which may help to solve these problems. In this review we will discuss the usefulness of recombinant antigens in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464523 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464522&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F416910.html Vitamin A has both positive and negative regulatory functions in the immune system. While vitamin A is required for normal formation of immune cells and epithelial cell barriers, vitamin A deficiency can lead to increased inflammatory responses and tissue damage. The mechanism with which vitamin A and its metabolites such as retinoids negatively regulate inflammatory responses has not been clearly defined. Recently, it has been established that retinoids promote the generation of immune-suppressive FoxP3+ regulatory T cells while they suppress the T cell differentiation into inflammatory Th17 cells in the periphery such as intestine. These novel functions of retinoids provide a potentially important immune regulatory mechanism. In this review, we discuss the functions of retinoids in the d... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464522 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464521&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F584624.html Immune response to Brucella abortus strain RB51 vaccine was measured in cattle vaccinated at calfhood. After an increase at day 6 post-vaccination (pv), the antibody level recorded in the 10 vaccinated animals remained constant for two months, and then progressively decreased. All vaccinated animals remained negative from day 162 pv to the end of the study (day 300 pv). Only at days 13 and 14 pv the RB51-CFT showed 100% sensitivity (credibility interval (CI) 76.2%–100%). The results indicate that the possibility to use RB51-CFT for the identification of cattle vaccinated at calfhood with RB51 is limited in time. A field investigation was carried out on 26,975 sera collected on regional basis from the Italian cattle population. The study outcomes indic... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464521 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464520&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F718386.html To clarify the role of CD8+ effector T cells for infectious complications, 92 recipients were classified according to the hierarchical clustering of preoperative CD8+CD45 isoforms: Group I was naive, Group II was effector memory, and Group III was effector (E) T cell-dominant. The posttransplant infection rates progressively increased from 29% in Group I to 64.3% in Group III recipients. The posttransplant immune status was compared with the pretransplant status, based on the measure (% difference) and its graphical form (scatter plot). In Groups I and II, both approaches showed a strong upward deviation from pretransplant status upon posttransplant infection, indicating an enhanced clearance of pathogens. In Group III, in contrast, both approaches showed a clear downward devia... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464520 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464519&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F567314.html The lack of exposure to helminth infections, as a result of improved living standards and medical conditions, may have contributed to the increased incidence of IBD in the developed world. Epidemiological, experimental, and clinical data sustain the idea that helminths could provide protection against IBD. Studies investigating the underlying mechanisms by which helminths might induce such protection have revealed the importance of regulatory pathways, for example, regulatory T-cells. Further investigation on how helminths influence both innate and adaptive immune reactions will shed more light on the complex pathways used by helminths to regulate the hosts immune system. Although therapy with living helminths ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464519 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464518&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F723539.html Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterised by the accumulation of monocytes/macrophages, smooth muscle cells, and lymphocytes within the arterial wall in response to the release of proinflammatory molecules. Such accumulation results in the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque, which would eventually evolve to complications such as total artery occlusion, rupture, calcification, or aneurysm. Although the molecular mechanism responsible for the development of atherosclerosis is not completely understood, it is clear that the immune system plays a key role in the development of the atherosclerotic plaque and in its complications. There are multiple antigenic stimuli that have been associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Most of these stimuli come from mo... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464518 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464517&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F271363.html We describe the effect on the neonate of administration of rituximab to a woman with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody, was given weekly for 4 weeks to a woman with ITP in her third trimester of pregnancy. One month after the last rituximab administration a healthy girl was born. She had normal growth and development during the first six months. At birth, B-lymphocytes were not detectable. Rituximab levels in mother and neonate were 24000 and 6700 ng/mL, respectively. Only 7 cases of rituximab administration during pregnancy were described. No adverse events are described for fetus and neonate. We demonstrate that rituximab passes the placenta and inhibits neonatal B-lymphocyte development. However, after 6 months B-lymphocyte levels normali... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464517 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464516&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F631920.html Human pregnancy poses a fundamental immunological problem because the placenta and fetus are genetically different from the host mother. Classical transplantation theory has not provided a plausible solution to this problem. Study of naturally occurring allogeneic chimeras in the colonial marine invertebrate, Botryllus schlosseri, has yielded fresh insight into the primitive development of allorecognition, especially regarding the role of natural killer (NK) cells. Uterine NK cells have a unique phenotype that appears to parallel aspects of the NK-like cells in the allorecognition system of B. schlosseri. Most notably, both cell types recognize and reject “missing self” and both are involved in the generation of a common vascular system between two individuals. Chimeric combina... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464516 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464515&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F481560.html Conclusions. The enhancement of serum TNFα and IL-6 levels in the patients with ERCP-induced pancreatitis reflects the inflammatory activity. Additionally, these cytokines together with IL-4 can be used in clinical laboratory monitoring of ERCP. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464515 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464514&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F590941.html Measurements of antigen-specific T cell responses in chronic diseases are limited by low frequencies of antigen-specific cells in the peripheral blood. Therefore, attempts have been made to add costimulatory molecules such as anti-CD28 or IL-7/IL-15 to ELISPOT assays to increase sensitivity. While this approach has been successful under certain circumstances, results are often inconsistent. To date, there are no comprehensive studies directly comparing the in vitro effects of multiple costimulatory molecules in different disease settings. Therefore, in the present study we tested the effects of IL-7/IL-15, IFN-α, anti-ICOS, and anti-CD28 on antigen-specific T cell responses in patients infected with HCV or HIV versus healthy individuals. Our data show that none of the aforementioned... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464514 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464513&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F683489.html In this study, we show that purified anti-dsDNA antibodies react with burkholderia fungorum bacterial cell lysates in Western blot. We used anti-dsDNA antibodies to make an anti-dsDNA antibodies affinity column and used this column to purify the burkholderia fungorum bacterial protein. Purified anti-dsDNA antibodies bind specifically to purified bacterial antigen and purified bacterial antigen blocked the anti-dsDNA antibodies binding to dsDNA antigen. Sera with anti-dsDNA antibodies bind specifically to purified bacterial antigen. We obtained protein partial sequence of RAGTDEGFG which is shared with burkholderia bacterial transcription regulator protein sequence. Sera with anti-dsDNA antibodies bind to RAGTDEGFG peptide better than control groups. These data support our hypothesis that t... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464513 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464512&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F790309.html Both aflatoxin and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cause immune suppression and millions of HIV-infected people in developing countries are chronically exposed to aflatoxin in their diets. We investigated the possible interaction of aflatoxin and HIV on immune suppression by comparing immune parameters in 116 HIV positive and 80 aged-matched HIV negative Ghanaians with high (≥0.91 pmol/mg albumin) and low (<0.91 pmol/mg albumin) aflatoxin B1 albumin adduct (AF-ALB) levels. AF-ALB levels and HIV viral load were measured in plasma and the percentages of leukocyte immunophenotypes and cytokine expression were determined using flow cytometry. The cross-sectional comparisons found that (1) among both HIV positive and negative participants, high AF-ALB was asso... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464512 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464512 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464511&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F531317.html In conclusion, FRIL could also preserve neural progenitor cells in vitro by inhibiting both cell proliferation and differentiation. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464511 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464510&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F742810.html Transplantation of allogeneic organs has proven to be an effective therapeutic for a large variety of disease states, but the chronic immunosuppression that is required for organ allograft survival increases the risk for infection and neoplasia and has direct organ toxicity. The establishment of transplantation tolerance, which obviates the need for chronic immunosuppression, is the ultimate goal in the field of transplantation. Many experimental approaches have been developed in animal models that permit long-term allograft survival in the absence of chronic immunosuppression. These approaches function by inducing peripheral or central tolerance to the allograft. Emerging as some of the most promising approaches for the induction of tolerance are protocols based on costimulation blockade.... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464510 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464509&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F305859.html CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells suppress T cell activation and regulate multiple immune reactions in in vitro and in vivo studies. To define the regulatory function of human CD25+CD4+ T cells at various stages of maturity, we investigated in detail the functional differences of CD25+CD4+ T cells from thymocytes, cord blood (CB), and adult peripheral blood (APB). CB CD25+CD4+ T cells displayed low-FOXP3 protein expression level and had no suppressive activity. In contrast, CD25+CD4+ T cells from thymocytes or APB expressed high expression level of FOXP3 protein associated with significant suppressive activity. Although CB CD25+CD4+ T cells exhibited no suppressive activity, striking suppressive activity was observed following expansion in culture associated with increased FOXP3 expression and ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464509 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464508&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F628963.html Encapsulated bacteria are responsible for the majority of mortality among neonates and infants. The major components on the surface of these bacteria are polysaccharides which are important virulence factors. Immunity against these components protects against disease. However, most of the polysaccharides are thymus-independent (TI)-2 antigens which induce an inadequate immune response in neonates and infants. The mechanisms that are thought to play a role in the unresponsiveness of this age group to TI-2 stimuli will be discussed. The lack of immune response may be overcome by conjugating the polysaccharides to a carrier protein. This transforms bacterial polysaccharides from a TI-2 antigen into a thymus-dependent (TD) antigen, thereby inducing an immune response and immunological memory i... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464508 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464507&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F624850.html Conclusions. The prevalence of SIgMID in our pediatric population was 0.03%. In general, respiratory infections are the common comorbid conditions. Death and autoimmune disease are uncommon complications of pediatric SIgMID. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464507 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464506&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F769795.html Defects in macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) signaling disrupt myeloid cell differentiation in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, blocking myeloid maturation into tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In the absence of M-CSF signaling, NOD myeloid cells have abnormally high granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) expression, and as a result, persistent activation of signal transducer/activator of transcription 5 (STAT5). Persistent STAT5 phosphorylation found in NOD macrophages is not affected by inhibiting GM-CSF. However, STAT5 phosphorylation in NOD bone marrow cells is diminished if GM-CSF signaling is blocked. Moreover, if M-CSF signaling is inhibited, GM-CSF stimulation in vitro can promote STAT5 phosphorylation in nonautoimmune C57BL/6 mouse bone marro... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464506 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464505&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F327346.html Chronic brucellosis patients display a defective Th1 response to PHA. We have previously shown that heat-killed B. abortus (HKBA) can downregulate the PHA-induced increase of CD4+/CD25+ and CD14+/CD80+ cells of brucellosis patients. In the present study, we investigate the effect of E. coli LPS, as a potent stimulant of monocytes and autologous T-lymphocytes, on the PHA-cultured PBMCs of the same groups of patients. Thirteen acute brucellosis (AB) patients, 22 chronic brucellosis (CB) patients, 11 “cured” subjects, and 15 healthy volunteers were studied. The percentage of CD4+/CD25+ and CD4+/CD28+ T-lymphocytes as well as CD14+/CD80+ monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry after PBMCs culture with PHA plus E. coli LPS. A significant decrease in the percentage of CD4+/CD25+ an... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464505 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464504&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F106321.html Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in the control of innate and adaptive immune responses. They are a heterogeneous cell population, where plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are a unique subset capable of secreting high levels of type I IFNs. It has been demonstrated that pDCs can coordinate events during the course of viral infection, atopy, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Therefore, pDC, as a main source of type I IFN, is an attractive target for therapeutic manipulations of the immune system to elicit a powerful immune response against tumor antigens in combination with other therapies. The therapeutic vaccination with antigen-pulsed DCs has shown a limited efficacy to generate an effective long-lasting immune response against tumor cells. A rational manipulation and design of ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464504 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464503&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F146715.html Understanding how class switch recombination (CSR) is regulated to produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) has become fundamental because of the dramatic increase in the prevalence of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions. CSR requires the induction of the enzyme AICDA in B cells. Mutations in AICDA have been linked to Hyper-IgM syndrome (HIGM2), which shows absence of switching to IgE as well as to IgG and IgA. Although isolated IgE deficiency is a rare entity, here we show some individuals with normal serum IgM, IgG, and IgA levels that had undetectable total serum IgE levels. We have analyzed the AICDA gene in these individuals to determine if there are mutations in AICDA that could lead to selective IgE deficiency. Conformational sensitive gel electrophoresis (CS... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464503 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464502&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2008%2F715769.html The authors reviewed the passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS) that has appeared after transplantation. The definition, mechanism, serological, clinical features, and treatment for PLS after solid organ transplantation, especially liver transplantation, are described. The PLS refers to the clinical phenomenon of alloimmune hemolysis resulting from the adoptive transfer of viable lymphocytes from donor during solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Sometimes, it is very severe and may cause “unexplained” hemolysis during the postoperative period. The authors reviewed literature about the PLS in liver transplantation. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464502 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464501&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F673952.html We investigated the effects of ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) irradiation on spontaneous lupus erythematosus- (LE-) like skin lesions of MRL/lpr mice, using a disease prevention model. UVA1 irradiation significantly inhibited the development of LE-like skin lesions, without obvious changes of the disease including renal disease and serum antinuclear antibody levels. Besides the massive infiltration of mast cells in the LE-like skin lesions, in the nonlesional skins, more mast cells infiltrated in the UVA1-irradiated group compared with the nonirradiated group. Although apoptotic cells were remarkably seen in the dermis of UVA1-irradiated mice, those cells were hardly detectable in the dermis of the nonirradiated mice without skin lesions. Further analysis showed that some of those apoptotic cells w... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464501 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464500&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37735&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindawi.com%2Fjournals%2Fcdi%2F2009%2F374696.html In the study performed in a group of patients infected with T. gondii, we evaluated Th2 humoral response (IL-5, IL-6, IL-10) and Th1 cell response (IL-12, TNF-α). The study objective was to assess the effect of T. gondii on chosen indices of the immune response. The study involved 52 women infected with T. gondii (aged 18–42 years) prior to antiparasitic treatment. In all the patients, we found IgM (index >0.7) and IgG which exceeded 300 IU/ml. The control group (C) consisted of 40 healthy women aged 18–46 years. In the study group (T) and in the control group (C), the levels of IgE, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α were determin... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464500 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:13:56 +0100 2464500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528751&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438591%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Abe T, Fuse I, Narita M, Takahashi M, Aizawa Y Immune complexes (ICs) improve the capacity of priming specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T cell responses of dendritic cells (DCs). ICs induce phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and calcium influx, although the precise regulating mechanism still remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of a Ca2(+) channel blocker on the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in immature monocyte-derived DCs stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS-ICs, and the production of interleukin (IL)-12 family members (p40, p70, IL-23), T helper type 17 (Th17) cytokines (IL-6 and IL-23), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-10 were also investigated. In comparison wit... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528751 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528750&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438592%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, HGF expressed CXCR6 functionally, because CXCL16 induced HGF proliferation and ERK and AKT phosphorylation in HGF. These results indicate that CXCL16 may play an important role in the pathogenesis and remodelling in periodontally diseased tissues. PMID: 19438592 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528750 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528749&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438593%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cayer MP, Proulx M, Ma XZ, Sakac D, Giguère JF, Drouin M, Néron S, Branch DR, Jung D c-Src is the normal human cellular protein homologue of the viral oncogene v-src. c-Src activity was reported recently to increase in CD40-activated human B lymphocytes, suggesting its involvement in proliferation. To elucidate the exact role of c-Src in this process, we investigated the effects of c-Src over-expression on normal B lymphocyte growth. B lymphocytes purified from human peripheral blood were infected with Ad5/F35 vector encoding either a constitutively active c-Src (c-Src/dominant-positive) or a dominant-negative c-Src (c-Src/DN). Little variation of B lymphocytes expansion could be observed between control enhanced yellow fluorescent protein and c-Src/dominant-positive... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528749 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528748&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438594%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: van der Meer JH, Netea MG, Dinarello CA Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) is the minimal active fragment of peptidoglycan of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria, with potential beneficial effects as a vaccine adjuvant. Peptidoglycans and MDP are recognized by the intracellular receptor NOD2 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2), leading to production of proinflammatory cytokines. In the present study, it is shown that, despite stimulatory effects on isolated human mononuclear cells, MDP does not stimulate production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta or interleukin-6 in a whole-blood assay. However, MDP retains synergistic effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokines in whole blood. Screening tests of NOD2 function based on whole-blood stimulation should t... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528748 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528747&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438595%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, serum bactericidal activity against H. pylori is decreased in patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia. Heat treatment of the serum abolished the bactericidal capacity, indicating that complement activity is essential for the bactericidal effect. PMID: 19438595 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528747 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528746&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438596%26dopt%3DAbstract This report supports IL-2 treatment for ICL-associated opportunistic infections as a safe and potentially efficacious treatment option, especially when combined with more traditional treatment regimens. PMID: 19438596 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528746 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528745&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438597%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Horn J, Manguiat A, Berglund LJ, Knerr V, Tahami F, Grimbacher B, Fulcher DA Common variable immunodeficiencies (CVID) are a heterogeneous group of antibody deficiency disorders complicated by autoimmune, lymphoproliferative and/or granulomatous manifestations, suggesting variations in immunoregulation. We sought to quantify regulatory CD4 T cells (T(reg) cells) in the blood of CVID patients and to correlate the frequency with clinical manifestations and classification subgroups. Blood samples from 99 CVID patients in Freiburg, London and Sydney, who had been phenotyped clinically and stratified according to their memory B cell phenotype (Freiburg and Paris classification schemes), were analysed for the proportion of T(reg) cells, defined either as CD25(+)/forkhead box P3 (Fox... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528745 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528745 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528744&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438598%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we determined the immune response in patients with IDH measuring interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels as well as the HTLV-1 proviral load. Additionally, regulatory cytokines and anti-cytokines were added to cultures to evaluate the ability of these molecules to down-modulate TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma synthesis. HTLV-1 carriers and patients with HAM/TSP served as controls. TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels were higher in IDH than in HTLV-1 carriers. There was no difference in IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha concentrations in IDH and HAM/TSP patients. There was a tendency for higher IL-4 mRNA expression and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in IDH than in HTLV-1 carriers, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528744 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528743&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438599%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, CD39 is an appropriate marker for T(reg) identification in TB. These results can be useful for future studies to monitor Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific response during TB. PMID: 19438599 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528743 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528742&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438600%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we used this allergen as a model to investigate how ES allergens are recognized during Anisakis infections, and the usefulness of a recombinant fragment of Ani s 7 allergen (t-Ani s 7) as a marker of true Anisakis infections. The possible antigenic relationship between native Ani s 7 (nAni s 7) from Anisakis and Pseudoterranova decipens antigens was also investigated. Our results demonstrate that nAni s 7 is secreted and recognized by the immune system of rats only when the larvae are alive (i.e. during the acute phase of infection), and that this molecule is not present in, or is antigenically different from, Pseudoterranova allergens. The t-Ani s 7 polypeptide is a useful target for differentiating immunoglobulin E antibodies induced by true Anisakis infections from those i... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528742 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528741&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438601%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Barksby HE, Nile CJ, Jaedicke KM, Taylor JJ, Preshaw PM Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (strain W50) interacts with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) leading to cytokine expression and inflammation, and thereby plays a key role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. The aims of this study were to investigate gene expression of key regulatory mediators of innate immune responses in a human monocytic cell line (THP-1) to P. gingivalis LPS and to compare these results with those obtained using the TLR-4 ligand, Escherichia coli LPS. Custom-made Taqman low-density arrays were used for expression profiling of 45 different cytokine-related genes. Both types of LPS highly up-regulated interleukin (IL)-1alpha and IL-1beta, IL-18 receptor (IL-18R), IL-18R accessory pr... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528741 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528740&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438602%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, acute-phase responsiveness of MBL was highly dependent upon the MBL2 genotype. These data suggest that heterogeneity in protein responses in the acute phase of disease should always be viewed in the light of possible influences of genetic differences in both structural and regulatory parts of the gene. PMID: 19438602 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology) Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528740 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528739&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438603%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tanigawa K, Suzuki K, Kimura H, Takeshita F, Wu H, Akama T, Kawashima A, Ishii N Mycobacterium leprae is an intracellular pathogen that survives within the phagosome of host macrophages. Several host factors are involved in producing tolerance, while others are responsible for killing the mycobacterium. Tryptophan aspartate-containing coat protein (TACO; also known as CORO1A or coronin-1) inhibits the phagosome maturation that allows intracellular parasitization. In addition, the Toll-like receptor (TLR) activates the innate immune response. Both CORO1A and TLR-2 co-localize on the phagosomal membrane in the dermal lesions of patients with lepromatous leprosy. Therefore, we hypothesized that CORO1A and TLR-2 might interact functionally. This hypothesis was tested by investigat... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528739 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528738&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438604%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ceravolo IP, Sanchez BA, Sousa TN, Guerra BM, Soares IS, Braga EM, McHenry AM, Adams JH, Brito CF, Carvalho LH The Duffy binding protein of Plasmodium vivax (DBP) is a critical adhesion ligand that participates in merozoite invasion of human Duffy-positive erythrocytes. A small outbreak of P. vivax malaria, in a village located in a non-malarious area of Brazil, offered us an opportunity to investigate the DBP immune responses among individuals who had their first and brief exposure to malaria. Thirty-three individuals participated in the five cross-sectional surveys, 15 with confirmed P. vivax infection while residing in the outbreak area (cases) and 18 who had not experienced malaria (non-cases). In the present study, we found that only 20% (three of 15) of the individuals w... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528738 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528737&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438605%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lohman-Payne B, Slyker JA, Richardson BA, Farquhar C, Majiwa M, Maleche-Obimbo E, Mbori-Ngacha D, Overbaugh J, Rowland-Jones S, John-Stewart G Infants infected with HIV-1 after the first month of life have a lower viral set-point and slower disease progression than infants infected before 1 month. We investigated the kinetics of HIV-1-specific CD8(+) T lymphocyte secretion of interferon (IFN)-gamma in infants infected before 1 month of life compared with those infected between months 1 and 12 (late infection). HIV-1 infection was assessed at birth and at months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 and timing of infection was determined by HIV-1 gag DNA from dried blood spots and verified by plasma HIV-1 RNA levels. HIV-1 peptide-specific IFN-gamma responses were measured by enzyme-linked immunos... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528737 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528736&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438606%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lemmers A, Gustot T, Durnez A, Evrard S, Moreno C, Quertinmont E, Vercruysse V, Demetter P, Franchimont D, Le Moine O, Geerts A, Devière J In chronic liver disease, high circulating interleukin (IL)-6 contrasts with a poor acute phase response. We evaluated the impact of liver and circulating IL-6-receptor (IL-6R) forms on IL-6 bioactivity in chronic liver disease. IL-6, soluble IL-6-receptor and sgp130 levels were assayed in plasma from 45 patients with alcoholic liver disease, 84 with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection undergoing transjugular liver biopsies and 15 healthy subjects. IL-6R mRNA was quantified on liver extracts from 54 patients with alcoholic liver disease with or without cirrhosis and 18 HCV-infected patients. The effect of gp130-Fc on fibrinogen secretion... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528736 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528735&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438607%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fujimoto C, Klinman DM, Shi G, Yin H, Vistica BP, Lovaas JD, Wawrousek EF, Igarashi T, Chan CC, Gery I Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) expressing 'suppressive' TTAGGG motifs down-regulate a variety of proinflammatory and T helper type 1 (Th1)-mediated pathological immune responses. The ability of the archetypal suppressive ODN A151 to inhibit ocular inflammation was examined in two murine models: experimental autoimmune uveitis, induced by immunization with a retinal antigen, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) and adoptively transferred ocular inflammation, induced by transferring Th1 cells specific to hen egg lysozyme (HEL) into recipient mice that express HEL in their eyes. A151 treatment suppressed the inflammation in both models. In addition, A151 inh... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528735 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528734&cid=s_37735_3_f&fid=37023&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19438608%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kantele JM, Savilahti E, Westerholm-Ormio M, Pakkanen S, Arvilommi HS, Reunala T, Kantele AM The two clinical phenotypes of gluten enteropathy, coeliac disease (CD) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), were characterized for numbers and homing profiles of circulating final effector B cells, plasmablasts, identified as immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells (ISC). In CD, the numbers of ISC were approximately 50% lower than in DH or controls. ISC expressed peripheral lymph node homing receptor (HR), L-selectin, less frequently in CD (54%) and DH (52%) patients than in controls (70%). The expression of gut mucosal HR, alpha(4)beta(7), was less frequent in CD (42%) than in DH (65%) or controls (60%). In DH, but not in CD or controls, a higher proportion of IgA1-ISC (40%) than IgA2-ISC ... Clinical and Developmental Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528734 Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2528734