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 'Developmental and Comparative Immunology' source. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:43:38 +0100 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18952122&dopt=Abstract Expression profiles of cytokines released in intestinal epithelial cells of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in response to bacterial infection. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Oct 23; Authors: Komatsu K, Tsutsui S, Hino K, Araki K, Yoshiura Y, Yamamoto A, Nakamura O, Watanabe T To determine whether fish intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) contribute to mucosal immunity, we established a method for isolating IECs from the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and examined cytokine production in these cells. Components of the intestinal epithelium were released by incubation of intestinal pieces with 1mM dithiothreitol (DTT)/ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). The IEC-rich fraction (purity >90%; survival rate approximately 95%) was obtained by centrifugation on a 35%/40% Percol... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1914871 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1914871 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18951915&dopt=Abstract Porcine DC-SIGN: Molecular cloning, gene structure, tissue distribution and binding characteristics. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Oct 22; Authors: Huang YW, Dryman BA, Li W, Meng XJ DC-SIGN, a human C-type lectin, is involved in the transmission of many enveloped viruses. Here we report the cloning and characterization of the cDNA and gene encoding porcine DC-SIGN (pDC-SIGN). The full-length pDC-SIGN cDNA encodes a type II transmembrane protein of 240 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that pDC-SIGN, together with bovine, canis and equine DC-SIGN, are more closely related to mouse SIGNR7 and SIGNR8 than to human DC-SIGN. pDC-SIGN has the same gene structure as bovine, canis DC-SIGN and mouse SIGNR8 with eight exons. pDC-SIGN mRNA expression was detected in pig spleen, thymus... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1914872 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1914872 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18948134&dopt=Abstract IrAM-An alpha(2)-macroglobulin from the hard tick Ixodes ricinus: Characterization and function in phagocytosis of a potential pathogen Chryseobacterium indologenes. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Oct 20; Authors: Buresova V, Hajdusek O, Franta Z, Sojka D, Kopacek P The universal protease inhibitors of the alpha(2)-macroglobulin (alpha(2)M) family are evolutionarily conserved constituents of innate immunity, presumably because they guard organisms against undesired proteolytic attacks of a different origin. Here, we determined the primary structure of alpha(2)-macroglobulin from the hard tick Ixodes ricinus (IrAM) by sequencing of overlapping PCR products. Predicted disulfide and glycosylation patterns, post-translational cleavage and alternative splicing within its 'bait region' demon... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1907775 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1907775 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18930077&dopt=Abstract Domain inhibitory and bacteriostatic activities of the five-domain Kazal-type serine proteinase inhibitor from black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Oct 15; Authors: Donpudsa S, Tassanakajon A, Rimphanitchayakit V Serine proteinase inhibitors (SPIs) in multi-cellular organisms are important modulators of proteinase activities in various biological processes. A five-domain Kazal-type serine proteinase inhibitor SPIPm2 from the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon is presumably involved in innate immune response. The SPIPm2 with the domain P1 residues T, A, E, K and E was isolated from the hemocyte cDNA libraries and found to strongly inhibit subtilisin and elastase, and weakly inhibit trypsin. To unravel further the inhibitory activity of each domain, we subcl... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1895253 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1895253 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18848578&dopt=Abstract Ontogeny of innate and adaptive immune defense components in free-living tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Oct 7; Authors: Palacios MG, Cunnick JE, Vleck D, Vleck CM Little is known about the development of immune function in wild animals. We investigated the ontogeny of immune defense in a free-living bird, the tree swallow. We assessed total and differential leukocyte counts, natural antibodies, complement activity, in vivo skin swelling response, and in vitro lymphocyte proliferation and compared the levels of development between nestlings and young adults. We also assessed whether body condition explained variation in these immune components. We found some support for the prediction that innate defenses, which do not need to generate a broad reperto... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1876304 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1876304 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18845180&dopt=Abstract Differential cytokine mRNA expression in single lymphatic follicles of the calf ileal and jejunal Peyer's patches. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Oct 7; Authors: Yasuda M, Nasu T, Murakami T The ruminant gut-associated lymphoid tissues are broadly classified into ileal and jejunal Peyer's patches (PP). We isolated single lymphatic follicles from ileal and jejunal PP and examined mRNA expression of 13 cytokines using RT-PCR. Four patterns of differential expression were identified. In Pattern 1, the cytokines IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-18 were detected in all follicles of both ileal and jejunal PP. In Pattern 2, the cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IL-13 were expressed in most jejunal PP follicles, but were undetectable in the ileal PP follicles. The cytokines characterizing Pattern 3 (IL-1bet... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870971 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1870971 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18845181&dopt=Abstract We report here the identification and characterization of a chitinase-coding gene from the lamprey Lampetra japonica. The predicted amino acid sequence of the chitinase gene consisted of a typical catalytic domain and a peritrophin-A type chitin-binding domain. Real time RT-PCR analysis showed that the chitinase gene was expressed in various tissues of adult L. japonica, particularly in the liver, where a significant difference between male and female was observed during the pre-spawning period. A significant increase in expression was also observed in vivo following stimulation by bacteria or fungi. These findings seemed to suggest that in L. japonica, chitinase probably plays an important role in gonadal development as well as in innate immunity in response to invasion by microorganisms.... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870970 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1870970 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18840462&dopt=Abstract Authors: Nakahara Y, Shimura S, Ueno C, Kanamori Y, Mita K, Kiuchi M, Kamimura M Hemocyte functions are well-investigated in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, however, detailed analysis of each hemocyte subset has been hampered by the lack of appropriate separation method. Here we use an array of flow cytometric analyses to characterize silkworm hemocytes with various molecular probes, such as propidium iodide, green fluorescence protein, monoclonal antibodies, and fluorescent lectins. Of these, separation using propidium iodide was the simplest and provided most reliable results for the isolation of the hemocyte subsets. cDNAs were then synthesized from these sorted populations and subset-specific gene expression was examined by RT-PCR. Granulocytes, plasmatocytes, and oenocytoids expressed ... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862951 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1862951 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18840463&dopt=Abstract Form, function and phylogenetics of NITRs in bony fish. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Oct 4; Authors: Yoder JA Novel immune-type receptors (NITRs) are encoded by clusters of multigene families and have been identified in multiple bony fish species. All NITRs possess one extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig) domain of the variable (V) type and recent crystal structures of NITR V domains demonstrate their high degree of similarity to V domains of antigen receptors. Many NITRs possess a second extracellular Ig domain of the intermediate (I) type which helps differentiate NITRs from other V domain receptors. The majority of NITRs are type I transmembrane receptors; however, a small number are predicted to encode secreted proteins. Based on their sequence and structure, NITRs have been propose... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862950 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1862950 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18834900&dopt=Abstract Two prophenoloxidases are important for the survival of Vibrio harveyi challenged shrimp Penaeus monodon. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 30; Authors: Amparyup P, Charoensapsri W, Tassanakajon A Phenoloxidase (PO) plays an important role in arthropod melanization. Previously, a prophenoloxidase (PmproPO1) gene was cloned and characterized from the hemocytes of the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon. In the present study, we report a novel proPO gene (PmproPO2) belonging to the proPO family identified from the P. monodon EST database (http://pmonodon.biotec.or.th). The full-length sequence of PmproPO2 consists of 2513bp encoding a predicted 689 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass and pI of 79.21kDa and 6.69, respectively. It is predicted to possess all the expected ... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1856257 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1856257 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18835295&dopt=Abstract Baseline circulating immunoglobulin G levels in managed collection and free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 30; Authors: Ruiz CL, Nollens HH, Venn-Watson S, Green LG, Wells RS, Walsh MT, Nolan EC, McBain JF, Jacobson ER Serum immunoglobulin levels can be used as markers for immune status. However, tools to evaluate immune function and status of cetaceans under veterinary care have been limited, including the lack of an assay quantifying serum immunoglobulin G. Here, we report on the development of a validated competitive enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assays (cELISA) for the quantification of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) IgG. Using the cELISA, baseline serum IgG levels were established for two managed collections and one fre... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1856256 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1856256 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18831986&dopt=Abstract We report on the characterization and functional analysis of IFNgamma of the goldfish. Quantitative analysis indicated the highest expression of goldfish IFNgamma in the spleen, with lower expressions in brain, gill, kidney, heart, intestine and muscle. An increase in IFNgamma expression was observed in kidney leukocytes following stimulation with PHA, PolyI:C and during mixed leukocyte reaction. IFNgamma was expressed in different goldfish immune cell populations and this expression was upregulated in several of these populations following treatment of cells with recombinant goldfish TNFalpha-2. A recombinant form of goldfish IFNgamma (rgIFNgamma) was produced and functionally analyzed. The rgIFNgamma primed goldfish macrophages and neutrophils for enhanced respiratory burst responses and... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1852697 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1852697 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18824193&dopt=Abstract Defense system by mesenchyme cells in bipinnaria larvae of the starfish, Asterina pectinifera. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 26; Authors: Furukawa R, Takahashi Y, Nakajima Y, Dan-Sohkawa M, Kaneko H Here we characterize starfish larval mesenchyme cells, in terms of not only their phagocytic behavior, but also their structural and functional properties as a defense system. Our study reveals the following: (1) most mesenchyme cells construct a dynamic network structure beneath the body wall; (2) mesenchyme cells phagocytically respond to almost all foreign materials and form syncytial aggregates to conceal relatively large amounts and large sizes of foreign material; (3) the morphologies of the syncytial aggregates differ from one another depending on the species and the surface con... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1844941 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1844941 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18824023&dopt=Abstract This study illustrates the utility of microarray analyses in profiling RNA expression patterns in catfish lymphoid cell lines and will serve as a platform for examining catfish immune responses following virus infection or poly [I:C] treatment. PMID: 18824023 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Developmental and Comparative Immunology) Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1844942 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1844942 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18822312&dopt=Abstract This study allowed us to test the antigenic properties of protozoan glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) on the mosquito immune system. We found that both P. falciparum GPI and T. gondii GPI induce the strong expression of several antimicrobial peptides following ingestion, and that as a result of the immune response against the GPIs, the number of eggs produced by the mosquito is reduced dramatically. Such effects have been associated with malaria infected mosquitoes, but never associated with a Plasmodium specific antigen. This study demonstrates that protozoan GPIs can be considered as protozoan specific immune elicitors in mosquitoes, and that P. falciparum GPI plays a critical role in the malaria parasite manipulation of the mosquito vector to facilitate its transmission. PMID: 1882... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1837374 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1837374 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18809432&dopt=Abstract The function of rhamnose-binding lectin in innate immunity by restricted binding to Gb3. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 19; Authors: Watanabe Y, Tateno H, Nakamura-Tsuruta S, Kominami J, Hirabayashi J, Nakamura O, Watanabe T, Kamiya H, Naganuma T, Ogawa T, Naudé RJ, Muramoto K l-Rhamnose-binding lectins (RBLs) have been isolated from various kinds of fish and invertebrates and interact with various kinds of bacteria, suggesting RBLs are involved in various inflammatory reactions. We investigated the effect of RBLs from chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), named CSL1, 2 and 3, on the peritoneal macrophage cell line from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (RTM5) and an established fibroblastic-like cell line derived from gonadal tissue of rainbow trout (RTG-2). CSLs were bound to t... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1826001 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1826001 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18804488&dopt=Abstract Immunoglobulins, antibody repertoire and B cell development. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 17; Authors: Butler JE, Zhao Y, Sinkora M, Wertz N, Kacskovics I Swine share with most placental mammals the same five antibody isotypes and same two light chain types. Loci encoding lambda, kappa and Ig heavy chains appear to be organized as they are in other mammals. Swine differ from rodents and primates, but are similar to rabbits in using a single VH family (VH3) to encode their variable heavy chain domain, but not the family used by cattle, another artiodactyl. Distinct from other hoofed mammals and rodents, Ckappa:Clambda usage resembles the 1:1 ratio seen in primates. Since IgG subclasses diversified after speciation, same name subclass homologs do not exist among swine and other mam... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1815521 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1815521 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18793666&dopt=Abstract Isolation and partial characterisation of four novel plasma lectins from the American lobster Homarus americanus. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 12; Authors: Battison AL, Summerfield RL Although numerous haemolymph-derived crustacean lectins are described, few have been reported for the American lobster Homarus americanus. In the present study, affinity chromatography was used to isolate and partially describe the carbohydrate affinity of four new lectins from H. americanus plasma. HaMBP and HaDNABP were homodimers of approximately 30kDa subunits which bound to mannan- and DNA-agarose columns, respectively. These proteins had partially overlapping elution profiles, and both shared and unique amino acid sequences and fragmentation patterns after trypsin digestion. A third homodimer ... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1802846 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1802846 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18793667&dopt=Abstract Genes associated with an effective host response by Chinook salmon to Renibacterium salmoninarum. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 12; Authors: Rhodes LD, Wallis S, Demlow SE An effective host response to Renibacterium salmoninarum, the etiologic agent of bacterial kidney disease, is poorly characterized. Using suppression subtractive hybridization, we exploited the difference in early host response in the pronephros of fish challenged by an attenuated strain (MT239) or a virulent strain (ATCC 33209) of R. salmoninarum. Among the 132 expressed sequence tag (EST) clones that were sequenced, 20 were selected for expression analysis at 24 and 72h after challenge. ESTs matching two interferon inducible genes (IFN-inducible GBP and VLIG1), the ligand GAS6, and the kinase VRK2 were upregul... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1802845 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1802845 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18789353&dopt=Abstract Evidence of high individual diversity on myticin C in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis). Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 9; Authors: Costa MM, Dios S, Alonso-Gutierrez J, Romero A, Novoa B, Figueras A Several antimicrobial peptides (AMP) have been described in Mytilus galloprovincialis. However, only in myticin C a high variability on the nucleotide sequence was detected. To determine the individual variability of this AMP, the myticin C present in more than 100 mussels was analyzed by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE). This technique helped us to describe a very high myticin C diversity as compared with a non-immune related gene such as the beta-actin. Moreover, each mussel showed a specific and exclusive myticin C band pattern. Our results showed that the individual ... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1798326 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1798326 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18782588&dopt=Abstract Maternal transfer of antibodies to eggs in Xenopus laevis. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 6; Authors: Poorten TJ, Kuhn RE The immune system of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, includes nearly the full repertoire of lymphoid organs and immune cell types found in mammals. In contrast to the mammalian immune system, the development of the amphibian immune system occurs in the open environment. Oviparity necessitates a rapid ontogeny of the immune system. X. laevis larvae become immunocompetent about 2 weeks after fertilization of the egg. During this 2-week window, larvae cannot mount an adaptive immune response to potential pathogens and presumably must depend on innate responses. In the present study, the possibility of maternal transfer of antibodies to eggs was examined. A... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1786080 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1786080 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18778729&dopt=Abstract Structural and functional studies of an IRF-7-like gene from Atlantic salmon. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 5; Authors: Kileng O, Bergan V, Workenhe ST, Robertsen B Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF-7) plays a crucial role in virus-induced activation of interferon-alpha/beta transcription in mammals. This work describes a structural and functional homologue of mammalian IRF-7 from Atlantic salmon. The cloned gene encodes a putative protein of 415 amino acids (aa), which groups with mammalian IRF-7 and other fish IRF-7-like proteins in a phylogenetic analysis of vertebrate IRFs. Using an IFN promoter-luciferase assay we showed that salmon IRF-7 gave increased promoter activity after poly I:C stimulation. Transcript levels of IRF-7 were measured by real-time RT-PCR and compared to... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1782782 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1782782 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18778730&dopt=Abstract A longitudinal study of the protein components of marsupial milk from birth to weaning in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 5; Authors: Joss JL, Molloy MP, Hinds L, Deane E The major milk whey proteins of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) have been identified over the total period of lactation using proteomic analysis techniques comprising two-dimensional electrophoresis, comparative image analysis, matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI MS), de novo peptide sequencing and cross species protein matching. Samples were collected at the periods coinciding with major milestones of immunological development in the developing marsupial and in the four phases of milk production, specifically, Days 0, 5 (Phase 1); 27, 68... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1782781 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1782781 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18775744&dopt=Abstract Anatomical particularities of the porcine immune system-A physician's view. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 4; Authors: Rothkötter HJ In this article the anatomical structure of the porcine immune organs is described. The focus is on their particularities that are related to the use of pigs as an animal model. Key issues of the intrauterine development of the lymphoid organs are presented, such as the specific epithelio-chorial placenta, the appearance of the thymic tissue and the initial development of B cells. The role of the thymus for the development of alpha/beta and gamma/delta T cells and the location of tonsillar tissue in the naso-pharynx, in the oral cavity and at the basis of the tongue are described. The porcine spleen is of interest for surgical techniques to treat... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1779434 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1779434 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18775745&dopt=Abstract Dnr1-dependent regulation of the Drosophila immune deficiency signaling pathway. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 4; Authors: Guntermann S, Primrose DA, Foley E Innate immunity is a critical metazoan defense strategy that rapidly detects and neutralizes invading microbes. As the signaling pathways that drive innate immune responses are evolutionarily conserved, there is considerable interest in the characterization of innate immune signaling in genetically tractable models, such as Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila responds to detection of diamonopimelic-type microbial peptidoglycan through activation of the immune deficiency (Imd) pathway, a signaling pathway with numerous similarities to the mammalian pro-inflammatory TNF pathway. In this manuscript, we focus on a molecular and i... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1779433 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1779433 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18773916&dopt=Abstract Authors: Ai HS, Liao JX, Huang XD, Yin ZX, Weng SP, Zhao ZY, Li SD, Yu XQ, He JG The prophenoloxidase (proPO)-activating system in crustaceans and other arthropods is regarded as a constituent of the immune system and plays an important role in defense against pathogens. Hitherto in crustaceans, only one proPO gene per species has been identified. Here we report the identification of a novel proPO-2 (LvproPO-2) from the hemocytes of Litopenaeus vannamei, which shows 72% identity to proPO-1 (LvproPO-1) cloned previously. Northern blotting analysis and quantitative real-time PCR reveal that LvproPO-2 is mainly expressed in the hemocytes, and its expression is down-regulated in shrimp challenged with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Western blotting analysis shows that most LvproPO-2/LvP... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1779438 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1779438 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18773917&dopt=Abstract Induction of mucosal immunity in the avian Harderian gland with a replication-deficient Ad5 vector expressing avian influenza H5 hemagglutinin. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 3; Authors: van Ginkel FW, Toro H, Tang DC, Gulley SL The chicken Harderian gland (HG) plays an important role in adaptive immune responses upon ocular exposure to avian pathogens such as avian influenza (AI). To determine the role of HGs in generating immunity, chickens were immunized ocularly with an adenovirus (Ad5) vector expressing the AI hemagglutinin H5 gene. The Ad5-H5 vector induced H5 transgene expression and induced H5- and Ad5-specific IgA and IgG spot-forming cells (SFCs) in the HGs. The IgA and IgG SFC peaked on day 9 for Ad5 and day 11 for the H5 protein. In addition, Ad5- and H5-specific antibo... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1779437 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1779437 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18773918&dopt=Abstract Authors: Kato M, Itou T, Nagatsuka N, Sakai T The authors produced a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against dolphin neutrophils by fusing mouse myeloma cells with lymph node cells from a Wistar rat immunized with bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). This mAb (DN1) was reactive against 77.1+/-8.6% of dolphin peripheral blood PMN by flow cytometric analysis; furthermore, there was no cross-reactivity with human or bovine leukocytes. The DN1-positive cells isolated with a sorting cytometer were almost all (99.7%) neutrophils. By using DN1 in conjunction with magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), the authors isolated neutrophils and eosinophils from density gradient-fractionated PMN with 100% and 95.6+/-4.8% purities, respectively. These results suggest... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1779436 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1779436 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18775449&dopt=Abstract Authors: Dickie R, Tasat DR, Alanis EF, Delfosse V, Tsuda A During early postnatal ontogeny in most mammals, the lung is structurally and functionally immature. In some species with relatively altricial lung morphology, there is evidence of a coupling between functional maturity of the pulmonary cellular immune system and alveolar maturation. Herein, we examine changes in alveolar macrophage (AM) number and function occurring during alveolarization in a more precocial species, the pig, to determine if heightened oxidative metabolism and phagocytic ability is similarly delayed until completion of lung morphogenesis. We assessed cell differential in lavage fluid and evaluated two main functional parameters of AM phagocytic response, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and pa... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1779435 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1779435 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18771682&dopt=Abstract Study of MHC class I peptide-binding motif of a Chinese chicken allele BF2*01sh for its binding of nonapeptide derived from the avian influenza virus. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 1; Authors: Zhao H, Xia C, Luo Y In order to investigate a MHC class I peptide-binding motif of a Chinese chicken allele BF2*01sh, the BF2 gene was linked to the beta2m gene via a (G4S)3 linker by splicing overlap extension PCR (SOE-PCR). The recombinant BF2-linker-beta(2)m protein complex was purified by DEAE-Sepharose chromatography and its conformation was determined by circular dichroism (CD). It was further applied to bind nonapeptides derived from the hemagglutinins (HAs) of the avian influenza virus (AIV) H5N1 and H9N2 subtypes. The BF2-linker-beta(2)m associated peptides were detected by mass sp... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1773286 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1773286 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18771683&dopt=Abstract Targeting the porcine immune system-Particulate vaccines in the 21st century. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 1; Authors: McCullough KC, Summerfield A During the last decade, the propagation of immunological knowledge describing the critical role of dendritic cells (DC) for in the induction of efficacious immune responses has promoted research and development of vaccines systematically targeting DC. Based on the promise for the rational design of vaccine platforms, the current review will provide an update on particle-based vaccines of both viral and synthetic origin giving examples of recombinant virus carriers such as adenoviruses and biodegradable particulate carriers. The viral carriers carry pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) used by the original virus for targeting ... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1773285 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1773285 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18771684&dopt=Abstract Special issue on porcine immunology: An introduction from the guest editor. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Sep 1; Authors: Summerfield A PMID: 18771684 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Developmental and Comparative Immunology) Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1773284 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1773284 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18765249&dopt=Abstract Stable expression in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line of bioactive recombinant chelonianin, which plays an important role in protecting fish against pathogenic infection. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Aug 30; Authors: Chiou MJ, Chen LK, Peng KC, Pan CY, Lin TL, Chen JY Chelonianin, originally isolated from the shrimp (Penaeus monodon), exhibits antimicrobial effects in vitro and in vivo and is used to treat infectious fish diseases. Herein, we report that the recombinant chelonianin protein fused to a fluorescent protein (rcf protein) was expressed from a stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The in vitro experiments showed that the rcf protein exhibited antimicrobial activity against several bacteria, while the recombinant fluorescent protein alone did not. In ... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1764067 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1764067 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18765250&dopt=Abstract Identification and molecular characterization of a complement C3 molecule in a lophotrochozoan, the Hawaiian bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Aug 30; Authors: Castillo MG, Goodson MS, McFall-Ngai M Examination of the EST database of the light organ of the Hawaiian bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes revealed a sequence with similarity to complement C3. RACE yielded the full open reading frame of this protein. Analysis of the resultant sequence revealed that Es-C3 (E. scolopes-C3) has conserved residues and domains known to be critical for C3 function. The gene encoding C3 was expressed in all tissues tested, indicating that its expression is widely distributed throughout the animal's body. Immunocytochemistry using an antibody against Es-C3 revealed that the ... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1764066 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1764066 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18762210&dopt=Abstract Authors: Sinkora M, Butler JE Cellular and humoral aspects of the immune response develop sequentially in the fetus. During the ontogeny, the pluripotent stem cells emerge and differentiate into all hematopoietic lineages. Basic questions including the identification of the first lympho-hematopoietic sites, the origin of T and B lymphocytes, the development of different subpopulations of alphabeta T, gammadelta T and B lymphocytes as well as development of innate immunity and the acquisition of full immunological capacities are discussed here for swine and compared with other species. The description of related topics such as fertilization, morphogenesis, maternal-fetal-neonatal physiology and early neonatal development are also discussed. PMID: 18762210 [PubMed - as supplied by pu... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1760083 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1760083 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18762211&dopt=Abstract Authors: Schroeder H, Skelly P, Zipfel PF, Losson B, Vanderplasschen A The complement system is a crucial part of innate and adaptive immunity which exerts a significant evolutionary pressure on pathogens. It has selected not only for those pathogens, mainly microorganisms but also parasites, that have evolved countermeasures. The characterization of how pathogens evade complement attack is a rapidly developing field of current research. In recent years, multiple complement evasion strategies have been characterized. In this review, we focus on complement escape mechanisms expressed by hematophagous parasites, a heterogeneous group of metazoan parasites that share the property of ingesting the whole blood of their host. Complement inhibition is crucial for parasite survival within the ... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1760082 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1760082 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18761368&dopt=Abstract Chicken CD14, unlike mammalian CD14, is trans-membrane rather than GPI-anchored. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Aug 28; Authors: Wu Z, Rothwell L, Hu T, Kaiser P A cDNA encoding the chicken homologue of the human myelomonocytic differentiation antigen, CD14, was cloned by RT-PCR from chicken bone marrow cell RNA, using oligonucleotide primers based on the predicted cDNA sequence. The cloned chicken CD14 (chCD14) cDNA encodes an open reading frame of 465 amino acids (aa), with 31-34% aa identity to mouse, bovine and human (hu) CD14. As in mouse and man, chCD14 is a leucine-rich protein. In mammals, CD14 is a GPI-anchored protein. Protein structure analysis suggested that chCD14, by contrast, was potentially a trans-membrane protein. The predicted aa sequence comprises an extracellular d... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1755004 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1755004 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18761369&dopt=Abstract In this study, four isoforms of hepcidin genes were characterized from a marine Perciform fish, rockbream (Oplegnathus fasciatus), and the transcriptional modulations of these isoforms in response to different biological stimulations were also examined. All rockbream hepcidin isoform genes exhibited a tripartite structure and their promoter regions displayed typical binding motifs for the transcription factors including C/EBP, HNF, AP, NF-kbeta, GATA, USF and/or STAT. Hepcidin transcripts in juvenile or fingerling tissues were dramatically induced during experimental challenges with various bacterial species, iron overload and rockbream iridovirus infection. The transcription of hepcidins was regulated in an isoform- and tissue-specific fashion. In addition, we identified for the first tim... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1755003 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1755003 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18761033&dopt=Abstract Species specialization in cytokine biology: Is interleukin-4 central to the T(H)1-T(H)2 paradigm in swine? Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Aug 27; Authors: Murtaugh MP, Johnson CR, Xiao Z, Scamurra RW, Zhou Y The T(H)1-T(H)2 paradigm provides an elegant model of directed response to infectious pathogens. Developed in the mouse, the model has provided a framework for systematic and mechanistic studies of immune regulation, protective immunity, and vaccine development in swine. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) plays a central role in the paradigm as a regulatory molecule directing development of the T(H)2 phenotype, as a developmental cytokine essential for antibody production, and as a soluble diagnostic marker of the T(H)2 cell type. In contrast, while characterizing the biological properties of po... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1755006 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1755006 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18761034&dopt=Abstract Authors: Salmon H, Berri M, Gerdts V, Meurens F Immunoglobulins cannot cross the placenta in pregnant sows. Neonatal pigs are therefore agammaglobulinemic at birth and, although immunocompetent, they cannot mount rapid immune responses at systemic and mucosal sites. Their survival depends directly on the acquisition of maternal immunity via colostrum and milk. Protection by maternal immunity is mediated by a number of factors, including specific systemic humoral immunity, involving mostly maternal IgG transferred from blood to colostrum and typically absorbed within the first 36h of life. Passive mucosal immunity involves local humoral immunity, including the production of secretory IgA (sIgA), which is transferred principally via milk until weaning. The mammary gland (MG) produces sIg... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1755005 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1755005 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18760299&dopt=Abstract The mucosal immune system: Recent developments and future directions in the pig. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Aug 26; Authors: Bailey M In most animals, the mucosal immune system effectively controls expression of active immune responses to pathogen and tolerance to harmless antigens. Our understanding of the function and control of the mucosal immune system has advanced as a result of studies in rodents and humans. The discoveries of regulatory T-cells and T-helper-17 cells, and studies on the interactions between epithelial and dendritic cells, demonstrate its complexity. In pigs, some of the systems and reagents for determining the relevance of these mechanisms are present, and indicate lines for future work. However, many empirical studies of the effect of manipulation of the muc... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1755012 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1755012 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18760300&dopt=Abstract Authors: Chadzinska M, Savelkoul HF, Lidy Verburg-van Kemenade BM Opioid peptides are evolutionary conserved and in teleost fish their specific receptor types have been identified not only on neuroendocrine cells but also on immunocytes. In the present work we have studied the effects of morphine, ligand for the mu3 opioid receptor, on innate immune responses of common carp. Both in vitro and in vivo, during zymosan-induced peritonitis, morphine reduced gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and chemokine receptors. Furthermore, in vitro morphine administration also affects nitric oxide production, chemotaxis and apoptosis of head kidney leukocytes. These results provide evidence for an anti-inflammatory function of morphine and suggest an evolutionary conserved cross... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1755011 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1755011 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18760301&dopt=Abstract Functional characterization of human C3/cobra venom factor hybrid proteins for therapeutic complement depletion. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Aug 26; Authors: Fritzinger DC, Hew BE, Thorne M, Pangburn MK, Janssen BJ, Gros P, Vogel CW Cobra venom factor (CVF) is a structural and functional analog of complement C3 isolated from cobra venom. Both CVF and C3b can bind factor B and subsequently form the bimolecular C3/C5 convertases CVF,Bb or C3b,Bb, respectively. The two homologous enzymes exhibit several differences of which the difference in physico-chemical stability is most important, allowing continuous activation of C3 and C5 by CVF,Bb, leading to serum complement depletion. Here we describe the detailed functional properties of two hybrid proteins in which the 113 or 315 C-termina... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1755010 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1755010 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18760302&dopt=Abstract Molecular genetics of the swine major histocompatibility complex, the SLA complex. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Aug 26; Authors: Lunney JK, Ho CS, Wysocki M, Smith DM The swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) complex is one of the most gene-dense regions in the swine genome. It consists of three major gene clusters, the SLA class I, class III and class II regions, that span approximately 1.1, 0.7 and 0.5Mb, respectively, making the swine MHC the smallest among mammalian MHC so far examined and the only one known to span the centromere. This review summarizes recent updates to the Immuno Polymorphism Database-MHC (IPD-MHC) website (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/ipd/mhc/sla/) which serves as the repository for maintaining a list of all SLA recognized gene... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1755009 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1755009 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18760303&dopt=Abstract Innate immune response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) against primary and secondary infections with Yersinia ruckeri O1. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Aug 26; Authors: Raida MK, Buchmann K Response mechanisms in teleosts against bacterial pathogens have been widely studied following injection procedures applying preparations of killed bacteria. In contrast, investigations on immune reactions in fish which have survived a primary infection and subsequently have been challenged are few or lacking. However, knowledge on these factors during infection and re-infection could provide the basis for development of improved vaccines. The innate immune response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) against Yersinia ruckeri O1 has been studied following a primary intra-peritoneal inject... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1755008 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1755008 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18760304&dopt=Abstract Evolutionary origin of the vertebrate blood complement and coagulation systems inferred from liver EST analysis of lamprey. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Aug 26; Authors: Kimura A, Ikeo K, Nonaka M The complement and coagulation systems in mammalian blood are composed of multiple components with unique domain structures, and are believed to be established by exon-shufflings and following gene duplications. To elucidate their origin in vertebrates, liver EST and 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) analyses were performed in lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum. For the complement system, the factor I cDNA was cloned for the first time outside of the jawed vertebrates. Evidence for the C3/C4/C5, fB/C2 and MASP-1/MASP-2/C1r/C1s gene duplications was not found, suggesting that th... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1755007 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1755007 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18657572&dopt=Abstract Differential expression of two interferon-gamma genes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Jul 24; Authors: Stolte EH, Savelkoul HF, Wiegertjes G, Flik G, Lidy Verburg-van Kemenade BM Two interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) genes are expressed in immune cells of teleost fish and are potentially implicated in B- and T-lymphocyte responses. IFN-gamma-2 shows structural and functional characteristics to other vertebrate IFN-gamma genes and is associated with T-lymphocyte function. Expression profiling shows IFN-gamma-2 upregulation in T-lymphocytes after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation in vitro. Unexpectedly, we found IFN-gamma-1, which is structurally different from IFN-gamma-2, to be expressed in lipopolysacharide (LPS)-stimulated IgM(+) (B- lymphocyte enric... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1664472 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1664472 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18656496&dopt=Abstract Strongylocins, novel antimicrobial peptides from the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Jul 23; Authors: Li C, Haug T, Styrvold OB, Jørgensen TO, Stensvåg K Sea urchins possess an innate immune system and are regarded as a potential source for the discovery of new antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Here we report the purification and characterization of two novel antibacterial peptides (5.6 and 5.8kDa) from coelomocyte extracts of the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. These are the first reported AMPs isolated from sea urchins. The cDNA encoding the peptides and genomic sequences was isolated and sequenced. The two peptides (named strongylocins 1 and 2) have putative isoforms (1b and 2b), similar to two putative ... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1664473 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1664473 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18638501&dopt=Abstract This study was designed to determine the proportion of NK cells and NKT cells among small intestine intraepithelial (IE) lymphocytes in suckling rats and adult animals by flow cytometry. Very few intestinal IE-NKT cells (NKR-P1A+, TCRalphabeta+) were present in adult rats ( approximately 1%), but a high proportion of this population was found during early life ( approximately 40% of IE lymphocytes in 9-day-old rats), with a marked age-decreasing pattern. Most of these cells presented the CD8alphabeta+ phenotype. Intestinal IE-NK cells (NKR-P1A+, TCRalphabeta-) were also present in a relatively high proportion during the suckling period ( approximately 30% of IE lymphocytes). Thus, a predominance of both NK and NKT cell subpopulations in small intestine epithelium is characteristic in the e... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1646202 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1646202 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?tmpl=NoSidebarfile&db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&list_uids=18638502&dopt=Abstract Three isoforms of complement properdin factor P in trout: Cloning, expression, gene organization and constrained modeling. Dev Comp Immunol. 2008 Jul 15; Authors: Chondrou M, Papanastasiou AD, Spyroulias GA, Zarkadis IK Properdin is a plasma glycoprotein and the only known naturally occurring positive regulator of the complement system, stabilizing the alternative pathway convertase (C3bBb). In order to elucidate the molecular evolution of properdin factor P (pfc), here we report the cloning and characterization of three gene isoforms of properdin in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The predicted polypeptide sequences of trout properdins pfc1, pfc2 and pfc3 (447, 449 and 447 amino acids, respectively) share 78-90% identity to each other, showing the highest identity score (... Developmental and Comparative Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1646201 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1646201