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 'Human Immunology' source. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:42:51 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5642943&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22269831%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 22269831 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5642943 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5642943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625202&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22266250%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 22266250 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625202 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625203&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22261389%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we will assess the association of low-molecular-mass protease 2 (LMP2) gene codon 60 polymorphism with the risk of lung cancer. Genomic DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was isolated from 207 patients with lung cancer and 264 healthy controls. DNA direct sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism were performed to scrutinize LMP2 gene codon 60 polymorphism. The risk of LMP2 gene polymorphism in lung cancer was assessed using an unconditional logistic regression model adjusted by the confounding factors. As a result of DNA direct sequencing, the LMP2 codon 60 polymorphic substitution of the nucleotide was CGC → TGC in Chinese individuals, not CGC → CAC as reported in other ethnic populations. In histology-specific analysis and... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625203 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625205&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22248741%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bernardo D, Al-Hassi HO, Mann ER, Tee CT, Murugananthan AU, Peake ST, Hart AL, Knight SC Abstract T-cell proliferation rates in vitro depend on factors including initial T-cell number, dose of stimulus, culture time, and available physical space. The role of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) in the identification of T cells with a regulatory phenotype remains controversial in humans. Through 5-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester labeling of human T cells and subsequent culture of different numbers of T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APC), we studied proliferative T-cell responses and FoxP3 expression in divided T cells. T-cell proliferation rates depended on initial T-cell/APC numbers. Proliferation rates decreased when high initial T-cell numbers were increased. Fo... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625205 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5625205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625206&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22245568%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Orrù S, Orrù N, Manolakos E, Littera R, Caocci G, Giorgiani G, Bertaina A, Pagliara D, Giardini C, Nesci S, Locatelli F, Carcassi C, La Nasa G Abstract Polymorphisms of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 gene (CTLA-4) have been associated with autoimmune diseases and it has recently been reported that donor genotypes correlate with the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in leukemia patients. With the aim of confirming this finding in thalassemia patients, we investigated the influence of genotype distribution of 3 CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms in 72 thalassemia patients and their unrelated donors. A significant association was observed for recipient CT60-AA genotype and onset of grade II-IV (63.2% vs 24.5%; p = 0.001) and grade III-IV (36.4% vs 7... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625206 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5625206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625204&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22261388%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Holbro A, Jauch A, Lardinois D, Tzankov A, Dirnhofer S, Hess C Abstract The thymus selects T cells, thus ensuring T cell tolerance. Thymoma can be associated with immune dysregulation manifesting as autoimmunity and/or immunodeficiency. Immune dysregulation in thymoma patients has only been described in case reports and small case series. The current study was a retrospective single-center study, covering the period 1/2000 to 12/2010. Clinical data were collected by chart review. We identified 29 patients with thymoma. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years (range: 23-87). Median follow-up time was 1,326 days (range: 15-3,710), and 20 patients (69%) were alive at last follow-up. Overall, in 13 of 29 patients (45%) autoimmunity and infection were observed, respectively; i... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625204 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5625204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625210&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22244917%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Han S, Koo HH, Lan Q, Lee KM, Park AK, Park SK, Sung H, Ahn HS, Shin HY, Kang HJ, Seo JJ, Ahn YO, Kim H, Rothman N, Kang D Abstract An abnormal immune response to common infection(s) may be a plausible etiological mechanism in childhood leukemia. We investigated whether 931 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected in gene regions related to immune response are associated with childhood leukemia susceptibility in a hospital-based case-control study (63 cases and 148 controls) conducted among Korean children. The AT or TT genotype of rs7939734 in Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) was associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia compared with the AA genotype (odds ratio [OR] = 2.26, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.20-4.25, p(trend) = ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625210 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5625210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625209&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22244919%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Song EY, Chung HY, Joo SY, Roh EY, Seong MW, Shin Y, Park MH Abstract For the detection of microchimerism, molecular methods detecting donor-specific HLA-DRB1 alleles in the recipient are most commonly used. Nested polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primer (nested PCR-SSP) methods widely used to increase the sensitivity of detection have been reported to give frequent false-positive reactions. We have developed a new method combining nested PCR with single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (nested PCR-SSCP) and tested the 1 to 0.00001% level of microchimerism for 27 different HLA-DRB1 alleles. For most (26/27) of the HLA-DRB1 alleles tested, this method could detect 0.01 to 0.001% of microchimerism and its sensitivity was equal to or better than that of ne... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625209 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5625209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625208&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22244920%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang S, Delgado JC, Ravkov E, Eckels DD, Georgelas A, Pavlov IY, Cusick M, Sebastian K, Gleich GJ, Wagner LA Abstract Shellfish allergy affects approximately 2% of the population and can cause immediate hypersensitivity reactions such as urticaria, swelling, difficulty breathing, and, in some cases, anaphylaxis. Tropomyosin is the major shrimp allergen and binds IgE in two-thirds of patients. A total of 38 shrimp-allergic patients and 20 negative control subjects were recruited and evaluated on the basis of history, skin prick testing, specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation in response to shrimp tropomyosin or shrimp tropomyosin-derived peptides. Of the classically allergic patients by history, 59%tested positive for ser... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625208 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5625208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5625207&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22245236%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Joshita S, Umemura T, Katsuyama Y, Ichikawa Y, Kimura T, Morita S, Kamijo A, Komatsu M, Ichijo T, Matsumoto A, Yoshizawa K, Kamijo N, Ota M, Tanaka E Abstract IL28B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with spontaneous and treatment-induced elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV). To assess whether the IL28B rs8099917 SNP also affects the progression of chronic HCV infection, we genotyped 511 Japanese HCV patients, including 69 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The T/T genotype of rs8099917 was not associated with the development of HCC (p = 0.623), although stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that liver cirrhosis, age greater than 68 years, and serum albumin <4.2 mg/dl were associated with HCC onset. It appears that the IL28B SNP does not di... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5625207 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5625207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5579139&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22234167%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Luevano M, Daryouzeh M, Alnabhan R, Querol S, Khakoo S, Madrigal A Abstract Cord blood (CB) is increasingly used as a source of stem cells for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and natural killer (NK) cells may be the effectors of the antileukemic response observed after CB transplantation. Here, we analyzed the phenotype and functions of CB NK cell subsets. We determined that the percentage of NK cells was higher in CB compared with peripheral blood (PB). Furthermore, there was a higher percentage of the CD56(bright) subset in CB. CB NK cells reached a late stage of differentiation, but exhibited higher expression of NKG2A and expressed fewer killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors, suggesting an incomplete maturation. CB NK cells highly expressed CXCR4, but did ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5579139 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5579139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536956&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22192784%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we confirmed that mCRP could bind to C1q and factor H, and the binding between mCRP and C1q was mainly via the collagen-like region of C1q by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and surface plasmon resonance. mCRP could significantly enhance the phagocytosis of late apoptotic cells in the presence of normal human serum. Autoantibodies against mCRP, purified from immunoglobulin G fractions of 3 patients with lupus nephritis by affinity chromatography, could significantly inhibit the binding between mCRP and C1q or factor H and reduce the clearance of late apoptotic cells enhanced by mCRP. Our observations suggest that anti-mCRP autoantibodies from patients with lupus nephritis might be pathogenic in systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis through interfering with the b... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536956 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536958&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178696%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Buzzi M, Alviano F, Campioni D, Stignani M, Melchiorri L, Rotola A, Tazzari P, Ricci F, Vaselli C, Terzi A, Pagliaro PP, Cuneo A, Lanza F, Bontadini A, Baricordi OR, Rizzo R Abstract Human umbilical cord blood units (UCBs) are an alternative source in allogeneic-stem-cell transplantation. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a tolerogenic molecule with a possible implication in UCB immunoregulatory effect. HLA-G expression was observed in UCB myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells; in contrast, CD34(+) cells did not produce this molecule. CD34(+) cells are primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells that are present in UCB and are necessary for long-term engraftment via production of immunoregulatory molecules and a hematopoietic progeny that supports cellular recovery. The r... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536958 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536957&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178697%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: de Oliveira Crispim JC, Silva TG, Souto FJ, Souza FF, Bassi CL, Soares CP, Zucoloto S, Moreau P, Martinelli AD, Donadi EA Abstract Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide health problem that may evolve to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Incompletely understood immune system mechanisms have been associated with impaired viral clearance. The nonclassical class I human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) molecule may downregulate immune system cell functions exhibiting well-recognized tolerogenic properties. HCV genotype was analyzed in chronic HCV-infected patients. Because HLA-G expression may be induced by certain viruses, we evaluated the presence of HLA-G in the liver microenvironment obtained from 89 biopsies of patients harboring chronic HCV infection ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536957 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536955&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22192785%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sivaram G, Tiwari SK, Bardia A, Anjum F, Vishnupriya S, Habeeb A, Khan AA Abstract Ulcerative colitis is a multifactorial disease in which genetic factors play a major role. Functional mutations in the genes related to innate immune response exacerbate mucosal damage coupled with persistent inflammation. The cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), CD14, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are the central players with clearly defined roles in inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MIF-173G > C, CD14-159C > T, and TLR4-299A > G polymorphisms and mononuclear cell expression in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Genotyping of MIF-173G > C, CD14-159C > T, and TLR4-299A > G polymorphisms was performed by am... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536955 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536959&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22154842%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Affandi JS, Aghafar ZK, Rodriguez B, Lederman MM, Burrows S, Senitzer D, Price P Abstract Most human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients are seropositive for cytomegalovirus (CMV) but a smaller proportion experience end-organ disease. This observation may reflect variations in genes affecting inflammatory and natural killer cell responses. DNA samples were collected from 240 HIV-infected patients followed at the University Hospitals/Case Medical Center (Cleveland, OH) between 1993 and 2008. Seventy-eight patients (African Americans = 41, Caucasians = 37) experienced CMV disease. Genotypes were determined using allele-specific fluorescent probes or multiplex polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primers. IL12B3'UTR*(1) and SLC11A1 D543N*(1,2) were associated with CM... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536959 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536960&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22154725%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bortolotto AS, Petry MG, Silveira JG, Raya AR, Fernandes SR, Neumann J, Bonorino C Abstract The HLA A, B, and DRB1 allele, phenotype, and haplotype frequencies were studied in a sample of 5,000 volunteer bone marrow donors registered at the Brazilian Volunteer Bone Marrow Donor Registry. The participants live in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and were classified according to ethnic group (4,428 Caucasians, 324 mestizos [mixed race], and 248 blacks). Typing was performed using the polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific oligonucleotide method combined with Luminex technology. Twenty-one HLA-A, 33 HLA-B, and 13 HLA-DRB1 allele groups were identified. The most frequent allele groups for each locus were A*02, B*35, and DRB1*13. The most frequent haplotypes were A*01 B*08 D... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536960 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536963&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22138757%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Callender CJ, Fernandez-Vina M, Leffell MS, Zachary AA Abstract Clinical studies have demonstrated that HLA-DP-specific antibodies can be detrimental to a transplanted kidney. The number of patients affected is proportional to the frequency of DP antibodies. We determined the frequency of HLA-DP-specific antibodies en toto and in the absence of cross-reactive DR antibodies. Of 650 waitlisted renal patients, 271 (42%) were reactive with HLA-DP antigens in solid-phase immunoassays. Of these 271 sera, 58 (21%) were negative for reactivity with cross-reactive DR antigens, and 16 (5.9%) had no class II antibody other than DP. Eliminating sera containing DR cross-reactive antibodies reduced the frequency but not the overall strength of DP antibodies. Although most DP antibodies ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536963 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536961&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22154724%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Levitsky J, Leventhal JR, Miller J, Huang X, Chen L, Chandrasekaran D, Tambur AR, Mathew JM Abstract We studied the effects of alemtuzumab on T-regulatory cells (Tregs) during alloactivation, first by differences in depletion of various naive versus alloactivated cell subsets in peripheral blood of healthy volunteers, then by adding serial concentrations to human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR-matched and -mismatched responding and stimulating cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Lymphoproliferation inhibition and the development of proliferating carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-diluted CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(-)FOXP3(+) (phenotypic) Tregs by flow cytometry were measured. Also, the ability of alemtuzumab-treated versus nontreated MLR generated CD4(+)CD127(-) cel... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536961 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536964&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22133489%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ge M, Zheng Y, Li X, Shi J, Ge J, Li H, Feng S Abstract T cell-specific T-box transcription factor gene (TBX21) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) have been suggested as 2 candidate genes for conferring susceptibility to autoimmunity. We herein hypothesized that the polymorphisms of TBX21 and STAT4 genes might contribute to the susceptibility of Chinese individuals to aplastic anemia (AA) as T cell-mediated immune disease characterized by hypoplasia and pancytopenia. We investigated the distributions of TBX21 (T-1993C and T-1514C) and STAT4 (rs7574862) polymorphisms in 202 adult patients with AA and 195 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The frequencies of T-1993C (but not T-1514C) genotype an... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536964 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536962&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22142555%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sadeghi M, Lahdou I, Daniel V, Schnitzler P, Fusch G, Schefold JC, Zeier M, Iancu M, Opelz G, Terness P Abstract Infection-induced inflammation triggers catabolism of proteins and amino acids. Phenylalanine and tryptophan are 2 amino acids related to infections that regulate immune responses. Polyomavirus BK (BKV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are important pathogens after kidney transplantation. We investigated the clinical relevance of phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tryptophan metabolites (kynurenine and quinolinic acid) plasma levels in kidney transplant recipients with active CMV (BKV(-)CMV(+), n = 12) or BK virus infection (BKV(+)CMV(-), n = 37). Recipients without active viral infections (CMV(-)BKV(-), n = 28) and CMV(-)BKV(-) healthy individuals (HCs, n = 50) served as ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536962 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536966&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22119882%26dopt%3DAbstract We describe here the sequences of 3 new HLA-DRB1 variants officially named DRB1*03:05:03, DRB1*11:10:02, and DRB1*14:86. These novel alleles have been detected in 3 Caucasoid individuals by sequence-based typing. The first and second alleles are the result of a silent mutation, which does not imply any amino acid change. The sequence of DRB1*14:86 exhibits a single nucleotide difference with the allele DRB1*14:01:01 at position 239. PMID: 22119882 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536966 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536965&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22122841%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we demonstrated a significantly lower frequency of HLA-DRB1*12:02:01 in the CAD group (9.82%) than in controls (18.22%) after age adjustment (odds ratio [OR] = 0.489, p = 0.0036). Logistic regression analysis indicated that carriers of HLA-DRB1*12:02:01 exhibited a lower risk of CAD events after adjustment for age, gender, and other confounders (p = 0.014, OR = 0.526 [95% confidence interval 0.314-0.878]). The female carriers of HLA-DRB1*12:02:01 exhibited a much lower risk of CAD events both before (OR = 0.424, p = 0.0387) and after age adjustment (OR = 0.302, p = 0.0058). In another female cohort, the frequency of HLA-DRB1*12:02:01 also differed between the female CAD group (8.23%) and the female controls (18.75%; OR = 0.389, p = 0.0116). Further analysis indicated that HL... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536965 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536967&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22119518%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pál Z, Varga Z, Semsei A, Reményi V, Rózsa C, Falus A, Illes Z, Buzás EI, Molnar MJ Abstract Autoimmune myasthenia gravis is a T-cell-dependent, antibody-mediated, rare neuromuscular disorder. Interleukin-4, acting via interleukin-4 receptor alpha, plays a pivotal role in B-cell differentiation and antibody production and has been implicated to influence disease progression in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Polymorphisms of the interleukin-4 receptor alpha gene have been shown to be associated with various autoimmune diseases. We compared the distribution of three polymorphisms of the interleukin-4 receptor alpha gene (S503P, rs1805015, Q576R, rs1801275, I75V, rs1805010), all affecting interleukin-4 signaling, in two cohorts of myasthenia gravis patients wi... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536967 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5536967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5536968&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22100839%26dopt%3DAbstract This study provides high-resolution information on the distribution of haplotypes with MICA, HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 in China. This information should help determine the mechanisms underlying diseases and allotransplant rejection associated with MICA polymorphisms in the southern Chinese Han population. PMID: 22100839 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5536968 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5536968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5424165&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22085486%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chakraborty K, Bose A, Goswami KK, Mukherjee KK, Goswami S, Ghosh D, Chakraborty T, Sarkar K, Pal S, Bhowmick A, Biswas J, Baral R Abstract In an aim to rectify dysregulated CC chemokine receptor (CCR5)/ligand (RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β) status of monocytes/macrophages in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC; n = 12) patients, we have tested interferon α2b (IFNα2b), a novel immunomodulator with wide use in the management of several forms of cancer. IFNα2b can upregulate reduced CCR5 expression and increases the suppressed secretory status of its ligands, as evidenced from in vitro studies on monocytes/macrophages from the peripheral blood of TSCC patients as well as healthy individuals. Isolated monocytes of TSCC patients (n = 5) undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment alo... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5424165 Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5424165 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5424172&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22057035%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Svensson J, Eising S, Mortensen HB, Christiansen M, Laursen I, Lernmark A, Nilsson A, Simonsen LB, Carstensen B, Pociot F, Johannesen J, Abstract The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is increasing, either because of environmental factors accelerating onset of the disease or because of inducement of autoimmune diabetes in children who previously were at lower risk. High levels of immunoglobulin (Ig), specifically, IgM and IgA, and a low level of IgG were reported in adult patients; however no studies have analyzed the increasing incidence in relation to Ig levels. Our aim was to describe Ig in children newly diagnosed with diabetes and in their healthy siblings. Children with T1D expressed significantly lower IgG (p < 0.01) and higher IgA levels (p = 0.045), whereas n... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5424172 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5424172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5424170&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22067212%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Boniotto M, Tailleux L, Lomma M, Gicquel B, Buchrieser C, Garcia S, Quintana-Murci L Abstract The NAIP gene encodes an intracellular innate immunity receptor that senses flagellin. The genomic region containing NAIP presents a complex genomic organization and includes various NAIP paralogs. Here, we assessed the degree of copy number variation of the complete NAIP gene (NAIPFull) in various human populations and studied the functional impact of such variation on host cell fate using Legionella pneumophila as an infection model. We determined that African populations have a NAIPFull duplication at a higher frequency than Europeans and Asians, with an increased transcription of the gene. In addition, we demonstrated that a higher amount of the NAIPFull protein dramatically i... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5424170 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5424170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5424169&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22074996%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, CD80 promoter and CD86 exon 8 polymorphisms were analyzed to investigate the genetic diversity and microevolution of the 2 genes. We genotyped 1,124 individuals, including Brazilians of predominantly European, mixed African and European, and Japanese ancestry, 5 Amerindian populations, and an African sample. All variants were observed in Africans, which suggests their origin in Africa before the human migrations out of that continent. Five new CD80 promoter alleles were identified and confirmed by cloning and sequencing, and promoter 2 is most likely the ancestral allele. Nucleotide -79 is monomorphic in 4 Amerindian populations, where the presence of the -79 G allele is probably the result of gene flow from non-Amerindians. PMID: 22074996 [PubMed - as supplied by publis... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5424169 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5424169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5424168&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22074997%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we define the CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to Mam-A-derived candidate epitopes presented in the context of HLA-A24 (A⁎2402). HLA-A24 has a frequency of 72% in Japanese, 27% in Asian Indian, and 18% in Caucasian populations. Using a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-binding prediction algorithm we identified 7 HLA-A24-restricted Mam-A-derived candidate epitopes (MAA24.1-7). Membrane stabilization studies with TAP-deficient T2 cells transfected with HLA-A2402 (T2.A24) indicated that MAA24.2 (CYAGSGCPL) and MAA24.4 (ETLSNVEVF) have the highest HLA-A24 binding affinity. Further, 2 CD8(+) CTL cell lines generated in vitro against T2.A24 cells individually loaded with Mam-A-derived candidate epitopes demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity against MAA24.2 and MAA... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5424168 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5424168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5424167&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22074998%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wennerström A, Pietinalho A, Vauhkonen H, Lahtela L, Palikhe A, Hedman J, Purokivi M, Varkki E, Seppänen M, Lokki ML, Selroos O, Abstract Sarcoidosis is a multiorgan immune-mediated disease of unknown etiology with varying clinical pictures. We studied 3 genes in the major histocompatibility complex region (HLA-DRB1 and complement C4A and C4B) in patients with resolved disease after a 2-year follow-up (n = 90) and in patients whose disease was still active at that time point (n = 98) and compared them with controls (n = 150). Our primary aim was to detect genetic differences between the patient groups. We observed that the susceptibility allele for sarcoidosis was HLA-DRB1*15:01 (p = 0.011; odds ratio [OR] = 1.67) and the protective allele was HLA-DRB1*01:01 (p = 0.001;... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5424167 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5424167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5424166&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22074999%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Paximadis M, Mathebula TY, Gentle N, Vardas E, Colvin M, Gray CM, Tiemessen CT, Puren A Abstract A cross-section of black and Caucasian South Africans (N = 302) were genotyped at high resolution (class I HLA-A, -B, -C and class II HLA-DRB1). Five new class I alleles (A*30:01:02, A*30:02:02, A*68:27, B*42:06, and B*45:07) and one new confirmatory allele (A*29:11) were identified in the black population. Alleles and haplotypes showed expected differences between the black and Caucasian populations, with the black population, on average, showing a broader spectrum of allele representation (less single allele dominance). The most prevalent alleles at the four loci in the black population were A*30:01, B*58:02, C*06:02, and DRB1*13:01 and in the Caucasian population were A*02:0... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5424166 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5424166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5424171&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22064183%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Teruel M, Martin JE, Ortego-Centeno N, Jiménez-Alonso J, Sánchez-Román J, de Ramón E, Gonzalez-Escribano MF, Pons-Estel BA, D'Alfonso S, Sebastiani GD, Witte T, Bottini N, González-Gay MA, Alarcón-Riquelme ME, Martin J Abstract The red cell acid phosphatase (ACP1) gene, which encodes a low-molecular-weight phosphotyrosine phosphatase, has been suggested as a common genetic factor of autoimmunity. In the present study, we aim to investigate the possible association of ACP1 with the susceptibility of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A total of 1,546 SLE patients and 1,947 healthy individuals from 4 Caucasians populations were included in the present study. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in this study: rs10167992, rs11553742, rs7576247, an... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5424171 Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5424171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382196&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22015333%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 22015333 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382196 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382192&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22019624%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 22019624 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382192 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382189&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22037148%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wu J, Lu C, Diao N, Zhang S, Wang S, Wang F, Gao Y, Chen J, Shao L, Lu J, Zhang X, Weng X, Wang H, Zhang W, Huang Y Abstract To explore biologic behaviors and disease relevance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development of active tuberculosis (ATB), we investigated the expression profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) purified protein derivative (PPD)-induced miRNAs to determine the specific miRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of ATB. The expression profile of miRNA under PPD challenge was first measured using microarray analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from ATB patients and healthy controls (HC). The remarkably reactive miRNAs were then validated in a larger cohort by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The receiver operat... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382189 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382188&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22041219%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 22041219 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382188 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382187&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22044721%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Alves DC, de Oliveira Crispim JC, Castelli EC, Mendes-Junior CT, Deghaide NH, Barros Silva GE, Costa RS, Saber LT, Moreau P, Donadi EA Abstract Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) plays a well-recognized role in the modulation of the immune response, and HLA-G expression has been associated with increased graft survival and decreased rejection episodes. To investigate the role of the HLA-G 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) in renal transplantation, we evaluated several polymorphic sites (14-bp Del/Ins +3003T/C, +3010C/G, +3027C/A, +3035C/T, +3142G/C, and +3187A/G) in patients exhibiting or not exhibiting rejection episodes. A total of 104 patients (15 with acute and 48 with chronic rejection, and 41 with no rejection) and 142 healthy individuals were studied. HLA-G 3'UTR was ty... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382187 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382195&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22019503%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang B, Chen J, Yi L, Zhang J, Li D, Huang Z, Cai B, Li L, Shi Y, Ying B, Wang L Abstract The aim of this study was to detect the association between 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs2910164 G>C and rs3746444 T>C, in pre-miRNA (hsa-mir-146a and hsa-mir-499) and the chronic inflammation in the Chinese Han population with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two hundred sixty-two Han Chinese patients with RA were recruited in this study. The SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and the plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) were measured. There was a significant diffe... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382195 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382191&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22027386%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cong H, Mui EJ, Witola WH, Sidney J, Alexander J, Sette A, Maewal A, El Bissati K, Zhou Y, Suzuki Y, Lee D, Woods S, Sommerville C, Henriquez F, Roberts CW, McLeod R Abstract The ability of CD8(+) T cells to act as cytolytic effectors and produce interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was demonstrated to mediate resistance to Toxoplasma gondii in murine models because of the recognition of peptides restricted by murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. However, no T gondii-specific HLA-B07-restricted peptides were proven protective against T gondii. Recently, 2 T gondii-specific HLA-B(⁎)0702-restricted T cell epitopes, GRA7(20-28) (LPQFATAAT) and GRA3(27-35) (VPFVVFLVA), displayed high-affinity binding to HLA-B(⁎)0702 and elicited IFN-γ from peripheral blood m... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382191 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382194&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22019504%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of IL-1β- and IL-17A-induced CCL20 production in HGFs. IL-17A synergistically enhanced CCL20 production from IL-1β-stimulated HGFs in a concentration-dependent manner. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)-κB-α phosphorylation were increased in IL-1β- and IL-17A-stimulated HGFs. Inhibitors of or ERK and NF-κB decreased IL-1β- and IL-17A-induced CCL20 production. IL-1β stimulation elevated IL-17 receptor C expression on HGFs. These data suggest that IL-1β is actively related to Th17 cell migration into peripheral tissues to induce production of the Th17 chemokine, CCL20. Therefore, IL-1β might be a therapeutic target for Th17-related diseases, such as periodontal disease and arthritis. PMI... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382194 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382193&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22019623%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bouzid D, Fourati H, Amouri A, Marques I, Abida O, Haddouk S, Ayed MB, Tahri N, Penha-Gonçalves C, Masmoudi H Abstract The identification of susceptibility genes for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is key to understanding pathogenic mechanisms. Recently, the results of genetic association studies have highlighted many loci that are shared among several autoimmune diseases. We aimed to study the genetic epidemiology of polymorphisms in specific genes previously associated with other autoimmune diseases, namely the CREM, STAT4, STAT5a, Stat5b, and IRF5 genes. Twelve polymorphisms in the CREM, STAT4, STAT5a, Stat5b, and IRF5 genes were genotyped in a cohort of 107 IBD patients (39 Crohn's disease [CD] and 68 ulcerative colitis [UC]) and 162 controls from southern Tunisia. O... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382193 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382190&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22027387%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cunha LM, Bittencourt PL, Abrantes-Lemos CP, Moreira A, Almeida D, Parana R, Andrade Z Abstract Non-organ-specific autoantibodies (NOSA) are well-recognized diagnostic markers of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), but can also be observed in patients with viral hepatitis as well as in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of NOSA in subjects living in a rural community in Brazil and to analyze their occurrence with the presence of liver disease. Seven hundred twenty-five apparently healthy subjects were randomly selected for assessment of antinuclear (ANA), anti-smooth muscle (SMA), antimitochondrial (AMA), anti-liver/kidney microsome type 1, and anti-liver cytosol type 1 antibodies. Subjects with those NOSA wer... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382190 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382190 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5382197&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22001078%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li F, Zhang X, Jin YP, Mulder A, Reed EF Abstract Chronic rejection manifests as transplant vasculopathy, which is characterized by intimal thickening of the vessels of the allograft. Intimal thickening is thought to result from the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in the vessel media, followed by deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. The development of post-transplantation anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (Ab) is strongly correlated with the development of transplant vasculopathy and graft loss. Here we demonstrate that cross-linking of HLA class I molecules on the surface of human SMC with anti-HLA class I Ab induced cell proliferation and migration. Class I ligation also increased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kin... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5382197 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5382197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5300657&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21968398%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zervou MI, Vazgiourakis V, Yilmaz N, Kontaki E, Trouw LA, Toes RE, Bicakcigi M, Boumpas DT, Yavuz S, Goulielmos GN Abstract A significant source of variability in the literature on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility genes has been the inability to replicate genetic findings across different racial or ethnic groups. We investigated whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the STAT4 (rs7574865), PTPN22 (rs2476601), TRAF1/C5 (rs10818488), and C1q (rs292001) genes as well as the 27-bp VNTR polymorphism on intron 4 of eNOS, previously associated with SLE in other populations, are also associated with SLE risk in Turkey. A group of 158 SLE patients and 155 healthy controls were included in this study. A genetic association of the TRAF1/C5, C1q, and eNOS g... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5300657 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5300657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5300656&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21978715%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cianga C, Cianga P, Plamadeala P, Amalinei C Abstract The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) was demonstrated to play a role both in the recycling and thus the protection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from catabolism and in the maternal-fetal transfer of IgG. The expression of this particular receptor was evidenced in a variety of cell types, but the endothelial cell was considered the main cell able to perform both recycling and IgG catabolism. Based on preliminary data obtained in adult human mammary glands and skin, this study focused on a number of neonatal human tissues, targeting FcRn expression mainly in epithelial versus endothelial cells. Our results demonstrate that in most of the investigated tissues, the neonatal Fc receptor is not detectable in the endothelial cells lini... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5300656 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5300656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5282667&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21964432%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Aláez C, Flores-A H, Río LE, Munguía A, Rodríguez A, García D, Arellanes L, Gorodezky C Abstract Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder mediated by cytotoxic T cells targeting melanocytes antigen(s). A strong major histocompatibility complex (MHC) association with HLA-DRB1⁎04:05 has been demonstrated in different populations. We investigated the contribution of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A⁎, -B⁎, -C⁎, -DRB1⁎, and -DQB1⁎ genes to the expression of VKH, analyzing the influence of gender on the HLA association. A total of 76 patients and 256 healthy Mexican Mestizo individuals were included. HLA-A, B, C, and DQB1 typing was performed using the polymerase chain reaction, and hybridization was done using sequence specific pr... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5282667 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5282667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5249379&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21925224%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yamamoto-Furusho JK, Alvarez-León E, Fragoso JM, Gosalishvili A, Vallejo M, Vargas-Alarcón G Abstract Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown etiology. Interleukin (IL)-19 belongs to the IL-10 family and is a potent immunomodulatory cytokine, with implications for pathogenesis in IBD. No previous studies have reported this novel association between UC and IL-19 polymorphisms. In the present work, the role of IL-19 gene polymorphisms as susceptibility markers for UC was evaluated. Three polymorphisms of IL-19 gene (rs2243188, rs2243191, and rs2243193) were genotyped by 5' exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays on an ABI Prism 7900 HT Fast Real-Time PCR System in a group of 200 Mexican Mestizo patients with UC and 698 healthy unrelated indiv... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5249379 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5249379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5249378&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21925225%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pillet AH, Thèze J, Rose T Abstract Although interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-15 share the common signal transducing receptor chains IL-2Rβ and γ(c) and give rise to the same signaling patterns in human natural killer (NK) cells in vitro, they differ in their effects on the development, activation, and proliferation of these cells in vivo. We have previously demonstrated that the activation of NK cells induces a cellular program characterized by the sequential transcription-regulated expression of IL-15 and IL-2 high-affinity receptors. We demonstrate here that these receptors induce different responses. IL-15 sustains the expression of its high-affinity receptor, leading to long-lasting STAT5 phosphorylation and BCL2 expression. By contrast, IL-2 induces the rapid disappearan... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5249378 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5249378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5249375&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21925559%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, HLA-G is upregulated in patients diagnosed with HF. Its marked elevation even in New York Heart Association class I patients might indicate that serum HLA-G is a more sensitive marker than other classical HF biomarkers. PMID: 21925559 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5249375 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5249375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5249377&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21925226%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, this study provides preliminary evidence to suggest that genetic variation in the MMPs may play a role in interindividual differences in UC susceptibility and clinical outcome. Further studies are needed in other cohorts to determine the robustness of these observations in different populations. PMID: 21925226 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5249377 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5249377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5249376&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21925227%26dopt%3DAbstract This study evaluated the influence of immune deficiency on the value of PCT concentrations in the diagnosis of early stages of bacterial infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients compared with other inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and white blood cell count. We analyzed major immunologic markers including CD4, CD8, and HIV-1 viral load. PCT concentrations in the early stages of bacterial infections correlated negatively with CD4 count in HIV-infected patients. However, a similar relation was not seen in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. We support the recommendation to change the cutoff value ranges of PCT in patients with immune deficiency. PCT concentrations can be influenced by various factors and hence should be carefully analy... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5249376 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5249376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5234359&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21920397%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Abdelsadik A, Trad A Abstract There is a permanent interaction amid the innate and adaptive immune systems that leads to a defensive immune response against pathogens and contributes substantially to self-nonself discrimination. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential molecules of the innate immune system that stimulate numerous inflammatory pathways and harmonize systemic defense against a wide array of pathogens. In addition to identifying unique molecular patterns associated with various sections of pathogens, TLRs may also recognize a number of self proteins and endogenous nucleic acids. Several reports have indicated that inappropriate stimulation of the TLR pathway via endogenous or exogenous ligands in animal models or humans may lead to the induction and/or prolon... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5234359 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5234359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5234358&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21920398%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marangon AV, Silva GF, de Moraes CF, Grotto RM, de Moura Campos Pardini MI, de Pauli DS, Sell AM, Visentainer JE, Moliterno RA Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells play pivotal roles in immune responses against infection with viruses, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are related to the activation and inhibition of NK cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility that KIR genes and their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands influence progression to cirrhosis in patients infected with genotype 1 of HCV. A total of 145 Brazilian patients with confirmed chronic hepatitis C grouped from F0 to F4 according to fibrosis progression to cirrhosis were evaluated. Genotyping of KIR and HLA genes was performed by pol... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5234358 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5234358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5234357&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21920399%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Eisen DP, Marshall C, Dean MM, Sasadeusz J, Richards M, Buising K, Cheng A, Johnson PD, Barr IG, McBryde ES Abstract Genetic variations in host immunity may influence susceptibility to novel infections like the recently emergent pandemic influenza virus. Prior studies demonstrated that mannose-binding lectin (MBL) inactivates influenza. Furthermore, MBL deficiency is common and appears to predispose to respiratory virus infections. Therefore, we studied whether MBL deficiency played a role in infection with the novel H1N1 2009 influenza strain in exposed health care workers. In a nested case-control study, we observed no association between phenotypic MBL deficiency, variously defined, and predisposition to H1N1 2009 influenza in 63 pairs of seropositive and seronegative p... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5234357 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5234357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5234356&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21920400%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined the effect of HIV-1 infection on the cytokine and chemokine responses of peripheral blood-derived CD8(+) T cells in an in vitro system. Activation of HIV-1-infected CD8(+) T cells with phytohemagglutinin resulted in a 4- to 8-fold increase in the production of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted, and interleukin (IL)-16. Treatment of activated HIV-1-infected CD8(+) T cells with anti-CD3 monoclonal (M) antibody (Ab) and IL-15 induced strong production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Treatment of cells with anti-IL-12 MAb and IL-4 to induce a Tc1-to-Tc2 shift resulted in no change in viral production levels or IFN-γ production within the HIV-1-infected CD8(+) T cell population. Initiation of a Tc2-to-Tc1 shi... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5234356 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5234356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220191&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21906646%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Daca A, Czuszyńska Z, Smoleńska Z, Zdrojewski Z, Witkowski JM, Bryl E Abstract Global disease activity measurement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is important for the clinical estimation and adjustment of therapy. By contrast, immune system activation plays a significant role in disease pathogenesis, with CD4(+) lymphocytes acting as central cells in the immune response. We investigated which scale better correlates with immunologic changes in the blood of SLE patients, the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) or the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM) scale. Samples of peripheral blood were obtained from 45 SLE patients with different disease activity as assessed by the SLEDAI and the SLAM scales on the same day. We assessed the percentage of CD4(+) T ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220191 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5220191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220192&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21889966%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Segat L, Crovella S Abstract With the aim of investigating the evolution of MBL1P1 (MBL1) gene, we analyzed the MBL1 coding region sequences in several specimens of two species of great apes, two species of Hylobatidae, four species of Cercopithecidae, and one Platyrrhine species, and in human beings. An indication for a progressive silencing of the molecule has been found. We found a ∼300 bp insertion in the first intron of MBL1 in the Cercopithecidae that could explain the different splicing between primates species and possibly why Macaca mulatta is able to produce a complete protein, whereas in human beings the protein product is truncated. Based on our genetic findings, we could speculate that all the Cercopithecidae (presenting the 300-bp insertion) may express MBL... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220192 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5220192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220193&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21889557%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fanchiang SS, Cojocaru R, Othman M, Khanna R, Brooks MJ, Smith T, Tang X, Maricic I, Swaroop A, Kumar V Abstract Among peripheral regulatory T cells, CD8(+) T cells also play an important role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. A subset of CD8(+) Treg that express αβTCR and CD8αα homodimers can recognize TCR-derived peptides in the context of the class Ib MHC molecule Qa-1. To gain a better understanding of the nature and phenotype of CD8αα(+)TCRαβ+ Treg, a global gene expression profiling using microarray, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and flow-cytometric analysis was performed using functional Treg clones and lines. The study findings show that CD8(+) Treg shared gene profile expressed by innate-like lymphocytes, including murine intrae... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220193 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5220193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220195&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21884745%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined the correlations between KRAS mutational status and tumor-infiltrating immune cells with respect to CRC recurrence. Mutations in KRAS were identified in 45.5% of the primary carcinomas in our cohort of patients: 65% in codon 12 and 35% in codon 13. Although codon 13 KRAS mutations were associated with disease relapse, they were present in both disease-free and relapsed patients. However, disease-free and relapsed patients differed markedly in their patterns of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. There was a trend toward decreased density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) within the group of relapsed cases. In addition, relapsed patients with codon 13 mutations had markedly lower levels of tumor-infiltrating mature DC-LAMP(+) dendritic cells (DCs) and higher frequency of CD1... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220195 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5220195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220194&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21888935%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report, we describe the case of a heart transplanted patient who exhibited anti-HLA-A*02:01 donor-specific antibodies detected with a bead-based assay (Luminex) and undetected with the complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) test. Posttransplant monitoring, carried out with CDC and with Luminex on sera from this patient collected at the 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 12th posttransplant weeks and at 1 year confirmed the presence of anti-HLA-A*02:01 in all serum samples. Additional tests carried out with denatured and intact HLA molecules using single antigen beads demonstrated that the antibody was directed toward a cryptic epitope. One year after transplantation the patient is doing well. No sign of antibody-mediated rejection was observed throughout the follow-up. A comprehensive evaluation ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220194 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5220194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5179466&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21867738%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Solgi G, Ghafari H, Ashouri E, Alimoghdam K, Rajalingam R, Amirzargar A Abstract Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are the key receptors of human natural killer (NK) cells that mount an early immune response against infection and tumors. The number and type of KIR genes are substantially variable between individuals and populations. Recently we reported KIR gene content diversity in a Persian population living in the southern province of Fars, which is comparable to that of European Caucasians. These results are consistent with the ethnic ancestry and affinity between Persians and Caucasians. Herein we analyzed another Persian population living in the northern province of Tehran and discovered an unexpected increase in the distribution of KIR2DS5 and its link... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5179466 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5179466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5179465&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21867739%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cantisani R, Sammicheli C, Tavarini S, D'Oro U, Wack A, Piccioli D Abstract Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) are 2 types of antigen-presenting cells that exert complementary roles in innate immune responses. We demonstrated previously that in the presence of suboptimal stimulation or when only 1 dendritic cell type is directly stimulated, contact-dependent crosstalk between mDCs and pDCs leads to the activation of both cell types and thus provides them with the ability to induce an optimal T-cell response. The precise mechanism is currently unknown. Here we demonstrate that pDCs, unable to secrete soluble factors because of previous stimulation, induce optimal mDC maturation, indicating that resting immature mDCs are fully compet... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5179465 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5179465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5179464&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871937%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yuzhalin A Abstract ••• PMID: 21871937 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5179464 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5179464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5179463&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21871938%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dubois V, Giannoli C, Balère ML, Rey S, Raffoux C, Rigal D Abstract Our study compared all requests for confirmatory typing (CT requests) received in our center between May 2007 and December 2009 (n = 134) for donors issued from 3 groups defined by different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci typed at different levels of resolution. We observed a significant advantage for volunteers when HLA-C 2-digit typing was available or with HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 4-digit typing compared with generic HLA-A, -B, -DRB1, -DQB1 DNA typing: increased percentage of CT requests (p < 0.001), increased rate of donor selection for donation (p < 0.001), and decreased time frame for donor search (p = 0.025). The time frame for a successful search (donation) is similar among the 3 groups, ind... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5179463 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5179463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5179462&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21872626%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bade-Doeding C, Cano P, Huyton T, Badrinath S, Eiz-Vesper B, Hiller O, Blasczyk R Abstract Sequence variations outside exons 2 and 3 do not appear to affect the function of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles. HLA-B*44:02:01:01 and -B*44:27 are considered functionally identical because they differ by a single amino acid substitution of Val > Ala at position 199, which is located in the α3 domain. To validate that HLA-B*44:02:01:01 and -B*44:27 represent functionally identical alleles that might reflect a permissive mismatch in hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), we determined their peptide-binding features. B-lymphoblastic cells were lentivirally transduced with B*44:02 and B*44:27 constructs and soluble recombinant molecules were purified by affin... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5179462 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5179462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158148&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21864611%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang Y, Zhang J, Tian C, Deng Y, Huang J, Li X, Xu D, Huang H, Fan H Abstract The +874T/A polymorphism in the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) gene has been extensively examined for association to tuberculosis (TB); however, results of different studies have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to comprehensively analyze the genetic risk of the +874T/A polymorphism in IFN-γ gene for TB by meta-analysis. A total of 4553 cases and 4631 controls in 21 case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that the variant T allele carriers had a 29% decreased risk of TB, when compared with the homozygote AA (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.60-0.84 for TT + TA versus AA). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant decre... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158148 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5158148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158149&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21851845%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, to characterize the HTLV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) populations in asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers (ACs), HAM/TSP patients, and carriers with autoimmune disorders (CAIDs), we examined the role of programmed death-1 and its ligand (PD-1/PD-L1) in HTLV-1-specific CTL functions using an HTLV-1 Tax/HLA-A*0201 tetramer and an HTLV-1 Tax/HLA-A*2402 tetramer. Interestingly, the percentage of HTLV-1 Tax301-309/HLA-A*2402 tetramer(+)CD8(+) cells expressing PD-1 in ACs was significantly higher than the percentage of HTLV-1 Tax11-19/HLA-A*0201 tetramer(+)CD8(+) cells expressing PD-1. PD-1 expression was significantly downregulated on HTLV-1-specific CTLs in HAM/TSP compared with ACs. PD-L1 expression was observed in a small proportion of unstimulated lymphocytes from ACs and ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158149 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5158149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5142208&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21843571%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hrdlickova B, Holla LI Abstract Several whole-genome association studies have shown a significant link between childhood asthma and the 17q12 chromosome region. We selected tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ORMDL3 gene (17q12) to investigate gene variability in relation to adult allergic asthma and asthma/atopy traits in a Czech Caucasian population of adults. We conducted a case-control association study comprising 668 unrelated subjects (337 asthmatic and 331 control subjects). Four selected SNPs (rs17608925, rs12603332, rs8076131, and rs3169572) were genotyped using the TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. The single locus analysis showed only a borderline association between rs3169572 variant and asthma (p = 0.030, p(corr) > 0.05). However, seven differ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5142208 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5142208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5142207&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21843572%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, the differential Mf loads and the lack of Mf in the blood of patients is likely to have a genetic basis. Because the adult worms are responsible for pathology, these results underscore the need for a review of using only Mf detection in blood smears for diagnosis of LF infection in endemic areas. This information is also important for the mapping and surveillance activities of national and global programs for elimination of LF. PMID: 21843572 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5142207 Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5142207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5142206&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21843573%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined several MASP2 functional polymorphisms in 104 Brazilian patients with moderate and severe chronic hepatitis C using the primers set to amplify the region encoding the first domain (CUB1), a critical region for the formation of functional mannan-binding lectin (MBL)/MBL-associated serine proteases (MASP)-2 complexes, and the fifth domain (CCP2), which is essential for C4 cleavage of the MASP2 gene. We identified five single nucleotide polymorphisms in patients and controls: p. R99Q, p. D120G, p.P126L, p.D371Y, and p.V377A. Our results show that the p.D371Y variant (c.1111 G > T) is associated with susceptibility to HCV infection (p = 0.003, odds ratio = 6.33, 95% confidence interval = 1.85-21.70). Considered as a dominant function for the T allele, this variant is associated ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5142206 Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5142206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5142205&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21843574%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sunder SR, Hanumanth RS, Gaddam S, Jonnalagada S, Valluri VL Abstract Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I binding peptides are carried from cytosol to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP), an integral ER membrane protein composed of two subunits, TAP1 and TAP2. Polymorphism in TAP genes may influence these proteins further affecting the antigen peptide presentation, indirectly resulting in the viral escape mechanism from cell-mediated immunity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Our aim was to study the influence of these polymorphism in study groups with HIV-tuberculosis (TB) (n = 110), TB (n = 105), and HIV (n = 130) compared with healthy controls (n = 183), using the tetraprimer amplification r... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5142205 Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5142205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5142209&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21840357%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, high-resolution structural modeling provides a physiochemical explanation for serologic patterns of antibody binding and provides novel insights into HLA immunogenicity. PMID: 21840357 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5142209 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5142209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5106946&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21821076%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 21821076 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5106946 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5106946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5106949&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21807046%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 21807046 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5106949 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5106949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5106948&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21816189%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 21816189 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5106948 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5106948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5106947&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21820025%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, our findings indicate a high frequency of TCR Vβ21 subfamily expansion in p210(BCR-ABL)-positive CML and B-ALL patients. The characterization of the CDR3 structure was complex. Regrettably, at this time it was not possible to confirm that the Vβ21 T cell clones were derived from the stimulation of p210(BCR-ABL) protein. PMID: 21820025 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5106947 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5106947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5106950&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21791230%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen G, Sequeira F, Tyan DB It has been known for 40 years that cytotoxic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies are associated with graft rejection. However, the complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay (CDC) used to define these clinically deleterious antibodies suffers from a lack of sensitivity and specificity. Recently, methods exploiting immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody binding to HLA single antigen beads (SAB) have overcome sensitivity and specificity drawbacks but introduced a new dilemma: which of the much broader set of antibodies defined by these methods are clinically relevant. To address this, we developed a complement-fixing C1q assay on the HLA SAB that combines sensitivity, specificity, and functional potential into 1 assay. We compared the CDC, IgG, and C1q as... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5106950 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5106950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062713&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21745515%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kutikhin AG NOD1/CARD4 and NOD2/CARD15 are members of Nod-like receptor family. They are located in cytosol, bind bacterial and viral ligands and play a key role in realization of innate and adaptive immune response, apoptosis, autophagy, and reactive oxygen species generation. Polymorphisms in NOD1/CARD4 and NOD2/CARD15 genes may shift balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, modulating the risk of infection, chronic inflammation and cancer. NOD1/CARD4 and NOD2/CARD15 gene polymorphisms may be associated with altered risk of gastric, colorectal, breast, ovarian, prostate, testicular, lung, laryngeal, liver, gallbladder, biliary tract, pancreatic, small bowel, kidney, urinary bladder cancer, skin cancer, nonthyroid endocrine tumors, lymphoma and leukemia. The shor... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062713 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062715&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21741423%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Takahashi M, Matsumura J, Inagaki S, Takahashi H The pathogenic mechanisms responsible for depletion of CD4(+) T cells in aquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are not fully understood. Systemic immune activation mediated by persistent infection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seems to be one of the predictors of disease progression. We predicted that certain lymphocytes responsible for CD4(+) T-cell depletion could be induced in patients during prolonged activation of lymphocytes. Therefore, we have established an in vitro long-term culture system for peripheral blood mononuclear cells with PHA-P stimulation and Herpesvirus Saimiri infection, and examined what types of cells having strong cytotoxic activity to be emerged under the activated conditions. We observed t... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062715 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062712&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21756957%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was designed to determine the polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10 genes in patients with chronic HCV infection patients and their effect on pegylated interferon-α therapy response. Polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor-α G/G, G/A, and A/A genotype was significant between HCV patients and healthy controls. Interleukin-10 variants (G/G, G/A) were nonsignificant among HCV patients compared with healthy controls. As this is a preliminary study on small sample size, we believe that our findings may stimulate further studies on larger number of patients from this geographic region. PMID: 21756957 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062712 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062711&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21756958%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yamazaki A, Yasunami M, Ofori M, Horie H, Kikuchi M, Helegbe G, Takaki A, Ishii K, Omar AH, Akanmori BD, Hirayama K A prospective study that included 429 children for active detection of mild malaria was conducted in a coastal region of Ghana to reveal whether the incidence of malaria is affected by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphism. During 12 months of follow-up, 85 episodes of mild clinical malaria in 74 individuals were observed, and 34 episodes among them were accompanied with significant parasitemia at >5000 infected red blood cells per cubic millimeter. Attributable and relative risks conferred by genetic factors in the HLA region were evaluated by comparison of the incidence in children, stratified by carrier status, of a given allele of HLA-A, -B, -DRB1 and... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062711 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062710&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21762744%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pan QQ, Fan S, Wang XY, Pan M, Zhao X, Zhou XY, Wang CY, Shen J We investigated the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, -B, and -DRB1 allele frequencies, the A-B-DRB1, A-B, B-DRB1, and A-DRB1 haplotype frequencies, and the characteristics of linkage disequilibrium between 2 loci in high resolution based on 167 unrelated families from Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 26 alleles at the A locus, 55 alleles at the B locus, and 34 alleles at the DRB1 locus were reported in this study. The top 5 most frequent HLA alleles at the HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1 loci, respectively, were A*11:01, A*24:02, A*02:01, A*33:03, A*30:01; B*13:02, B*40:01 B*46:01, B*58:01, B*54:01; DRB1*09:01, DRB1*07:01, DRB1*12:02, DRB1*15:01, and DRB1*08:03. Several haplotypes with high frequencies were deduced in thi... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062710 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062709&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21762745%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dhaliwal JS, Wong L, Kamaluddin MA, Yin LY, Murad S The incidence of aplastic anemia is reported to be higher in Asia than elsewhere. We studied the frequency of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DRB1 alleles in aplastic anemia patients from 2 genetically similar aboriginal groups, the Kadazan and the Dusun, and compared them with genetically matched community and hospital controls. HLA-DRB1*15 was significantly higher in the patients compared with controls (p = 0.005), confirming similar findings in Japanese and Caucasian studies. Further testing indicated a significantly higher frequency of HLA-DRB1*1501 in patients compared with controls (p = 0.0004) but no significant difference in the frequency of HLA-DRB1*1502. The high frequency of HLA-DRB1*15 in the Kadazan and Dusun popul... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062709 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062708&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21762746%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: García G, Puerto FD, Pérez AB, Sierra B, Aguirre E, Kikuchi M, Sánchez L, Hirayama K, Guzmán MG Dengue viruses (DV) are one of the most important arthropod-borne viral diseases in the developing world. DV can cause syndromes that are either self-limiting or severe. Allelic variants of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes have been demonstrated to be associated with disease susceptibility. Here we report the association of nonclassical HLA class I MICA-MICB genes with disease outcome during DV infection. A sequencing-based typing method and genotyping of MICA and MICB in a well-characterized group of Cuban individuals with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), dengue fever (DF), or asymptomatic dengue infection (ADI) was performed. Statistical analysis revealed a tendency for MICA... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062708 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062707&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21762747%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we evaluated the potential significance of plasma sHLA-G expression in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The study included 90 acute hepatitis B patients (AHB), 131 chronic hepatitis B patients (CHB), 152 resolved hepatitis B individuals (RHB), and 129 normal controls. sHLA-G were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the feasibility of plasma sHLA-G as a biomarker for distinguishing patients with HBV infection. sHLA-G levels in AHB (median, 193.1 U/mL; p < 0.001), CHB (median, 324.6 U/mL; p < 0.001), and RHB (median, 14.8 U/mL; p = 0.006) patients was much higher than that in normal controls (median, 9.0 U/mL). A significant difference for sHLA-G levels was also observed ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062707 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062706&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21763378%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim SK, Jeon JW, Park JJ, Cha JM, Joo KR, Lee JI, Chung JH, Shin DH, Shin HP Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of hypervascular tumor, and angiogenesis is important for HCC tumor growth. Eph receptor B1 (EPHB1), a member of the Eph family, mediates embryonic vascular system development and adult angiogenesis. This receptor may be involved in carcinogenesis of the digestive tract. Our aim was to examine the relationships between EPHB1 polymorphisms and HCC in the Korean population. Genomic DNA was extracted from 182 patients with HCC and 266 healthy subjects. EPHB1 polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Multiple logistic regression models (log-additive, dominant, and recessive models) were used for odds ratios, 95% confidence in... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062706 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062705&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21763379%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fodor E, Garaczi E, Polyánka H, Koreck A, Kemény L, Széll M We aimed to study whether forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) polymorphisms contribute to allergic rhinitis (AR) in a Central-European population, the Hungarians, similarly as it was found in Han Chinese. A case-control study was performed and the genotype distribution of the rs3761548 FOXP3 polymorphism was analyzed separately in females and in males. The results demonstrated that females homozygous for the rare FOXP3 rs3761548 allele (A/A) are protected against AR; otherwise, females who are either wild types (C/C) or heterozygote carriers (C/A) of the rare allele are more susceptible to AR (OR [95%CI] = 2.089 [1,095; 3.988]). We were able to confirm the findings of Zhang et al. in a geographically and ethnically distinct po... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062705 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062704&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21763380%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Barizzone N, Marchini M, Cappiello F, Chiocchetti A, Orilieri E, Ferrante D, Corrado L, Mellone S, Scorza R, Dianzani U, D'Alfonso S To test the involvement of osteopontin gene (OPN) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) susceptibility, two OPN single nucleotide polymorphisms previously reported to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, namely -156G/GG (proximal promoter) and +1239A/C (3' untranslated region (UTR)), were tested in 357 Italian patients and 864 matched control subjects. OPN serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 32 patients and 116 controls. Compared with the controls, in SSc patients there was a significantly increased frequency of the alleles -156G (p = 0.0086), and +1239C (p = 0.00064), paralleling the association reported for sy... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062704 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062717&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21741421%26dopt%3DAbstract A "silent" nucleotide substitution in exon 4 is responsible for the "alternative expression" of HLA-A*01:01:38L through aberrant splicing. Hum Immunol. 2011 Jun 24; Authors: Dunn PP, Hammond L, Coates E, Street J, Griner L, Darke C A Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry donor was serologically typed, using both alloantisera and monoclonal antibodies, as human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2, A-, but typed by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific priming as HLA-A*01, A*02. Full gene sequencing of the A*01 separated allele indicated an apparently normal A*01:01:01:01 apart from a silent change at nucleotide 705 in exon 4, codon 211 (alanine: normally GCG but GCA in this donor). Sequence analysis of the amplified A*01 allele in cDNA synthesized from RNA indicated that exons 1, 2, 3, ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062717 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062716&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21741422%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we demonstrate an easy and accessible polymerase chain reaction-based method to accurately identify A*02 and A*24 samples in a cost-effective way. PMID: 21741422 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062716 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062714&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21742001%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Blanco-García RM, López-Álvarez MR, Garrido IP, Salgado-Cecilia G, Campillo JA, Bolarín JM, Legaz I, Muro M, García-Alonso AM, Martínez-Sánchez MV, Moral JM, Pascual-Figal DA, Álvarez-López MR, Miras M, Minguela A Viral infections and cellular acute rejection (AR) condition immunosuppressive therapy and compromise the evolution of allografts. Immune monitoring can be useful for ascertaining rejection and for differentiating allo-reaction from activation induced by infections. This work analyzes the usefulness of monitoring the expression of CD28 and KIR2D receptors in peripheral blood T lymphocytes by flow cytometry, to ascertain the immune response in heart and liver transplant recipients. In both types of transplant, the up-regulation of CD28 in CD4(+) lymphocytes... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062714 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5062714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5011320&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699942%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: von Bubnoff D, Wilms H, Scheler M, Brenk M, Koch S, Bieber T The enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) degrades the essential amino acid tryptophan and is expressed, among other cell types, in immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs), monocytes, and macrophages. It has been shown that the activity of IDO has a broad regulatory function in the immune system by inhibiting effector T-cell responses, inducing regulatory T cells and facilitating the development of regulatory DCs. The degradation of tryptophan has 2 consequences, both of which have been postulated to be physiologically relevant, namely the reduction of tryptophan levels and the accumulation of tryptophan catabolites. Recently, we have shown that DCs that had differentiated under low-tryptophan conditions acquir... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5011320 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5011320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963108&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21684315%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Diaz-Gallo LM, Medrano LM, Gómez-García M, Cardeña C, Rodrigo L, Mendoza JL, Taxonera C, Nieto A, Alcain G, Cueto I, López-Nevot MA, Urcelay E, Martin J The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible implication of CD24 gene in the genetic predisposition to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our study population consisted of 1321 female Spanish individuals (369 Crohn's disease [CD] patients, 323 ulcerative colitis [UC] patients, and 629 healthy matched controls). Two putative functional polymorphisms, a C to T coding polymorphism (rs8734) and a TG deletion in the 3' untranslated region (rs3838646), were used as CD24 genetic markers and genotyped using a Taqman 5' allelic discrimination assay. The "del" allele of the dinucleotide deletion was associated with an increased... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963108 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963108 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963111&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21672595%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schulz S, Stein JM, Altermann W, Klapproth J, Zimmermann U, Reichert Y, Gläser C, Schaller HG, Reichert S Periodontitis is initiated by the subgingival occurrence of periodontopathogens. It is triggered by a specific host-dependent immune response that is influenced by genetic predisposition. Polymorphisms in the interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene cluster have been suggested to influence the pathogenesis of periodontitis. A total of 159 periodontitis patients (chronic disease: n = 73, aggressive disease: n = 86) and 89 periodontitis-free controls were included in the study. Polymorphisms IL-1α (rs1800587), IL-1β (rs16944, rs1143634), IL-1 receptor (rs2234650), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (rs315952) were determined by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963111 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963111 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963110&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21683108%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Boldt AB, Grisbach C, Steffensen R, Thiel S, Kun JF, Jensenius JC, Messias-Reason IJ Deficiency of mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2) has been associated with infections, whereas high levels appear to increase the risk of inflammatory disorders. Nevertheless, MASP2 haplotypes have been poorly investigated. To overcome haplotyping cost and time consumption, we developed multiplex polymerase chain reactions with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) for 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), reducing the number of necessary reactions from 18 to 7. SNPs were distributed from the promoter to the last exon, and a single PCR-SSP was used for p.D120G. We evaluated the phylogenetic relationships and global distribution of 10 identified haplotypes in 338 Danis... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963110 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963109&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21683109%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Assefa D, Amin N, Dozor AJ, Parton LA Decreased transplacental transfer of antibodies and altered immunoresponsiveness may place preterm (PT) infants at higher risk for serious consequences from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. We hypothesize that among infants hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis, immune response in PT infants may be different when compared with that of term infants. Nasal-wash samples were collected from 11 PT (<37 weeks of gestation) and 13 term infants (≥37 weeks of gestation) hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis. Severity of illness (clinical score [CS]), admission peripheral oxygen saturation, and days subjects required supplemental oxygen were compared. Nasal-wash leukocyte count as well as cytokines for interleukin (IL)-8, IL-4, and ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963109 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963112&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21669245%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Morgadinho Santos Coelho F, Pradella-Hallinan M, Neto MP, Soares CA, Fernandes GB, Murray BJ, Tufik S, Bittencourt LR Narcolepsy has been studied as a possible autoimmune disease for many years, and recent findings lend more credence to this belief. Although recent and important advances have been done, no study has analyzed the role of the CD40L in patients with narcolepsy. The purpose of this study was to assess CD40L levels, CD3, TCD4, TCD8, CD19, and CD56 lymphocytes, as well as levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in narcoleptic patients. We quantified the levels of CD40L, different types of lymphocytes, and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in narcoleptic patients and control subjects. Narcoleptic patients had lower levels of CD40L. Tot... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963112 Sun, 29 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963124&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21658421%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined the genotypes of 72 Chinese patients with TA and 180 healthy unrelated individuals who did not have any history of chronic disease. HLA-DPB1 genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP). The frequencies of DPB1⁎09 and DPB1⁎1701 among the TA patients were significant higher than among the controls. The mean age of the onset of TA in patients with DPB1⁎1701 alleles was significant earlier than the DPB1⁎1701 negative patients. Our results indicated that the HLA-DPB1⁎09 and DPB1⁎1701 alleles might increase the susceptibility to TA, and the individuals possessing DPB1⁎1701 had the earlier onset age of the disease. Further studies on the mechanism underlying are warranted. PMID: 21658421 [PubMed - as supplied by publis... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963124 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963124 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963123&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21658422%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, our findings indicate that the KLF12 rs1887346 and rs9565072 polymorphisms do not play a relevant role in RA. PMID: 21658422 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963123 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963122&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21663780%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we identified allelic and haplotypic diversities of the C*07:01/07:06/07:18 group in Koreans. Among 118 C*07:01/07:06/07:18-positive, unrelated, healthy samples, 96.6% were C*07:06 and 3.4% were C*07:01. Each allele was exclusively associated with a specific set of other alleles consisting of the conserved haplotypes A*01:01-C*07:01-B*08:01-DRB1*03:01-DQB1*02:01 (100%) and A*33:03-C*07:06-B*44:03-DRB1*07:01-DQB1*02:02 (95.6%), respectively. None carried C*07:18. With the continuous discovery of novel alleles, periodic updates with testing for newer alleles will be useful to support related research and clinical settings in each population. PMID: 21663780 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963122 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963121&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21663781%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang OO, Lewis MJ, Reed EF, Gjertson DW, Kalilani-Phiri L, Mkandawire J, Helleringer S, Kohler HP Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele frequencies vary between different human populations, with implications both for the evolutionary pressures shaping those populations as well as for the outcome of new infectious epidemics. We defined HLA class I types in a well-described cohort of persons on Likoma Island in Malawi, a population for which there are lacking data on allelic frequencies. The profile of HLA frequencies was similar but phylogenetically distinct from those of other sub-Saharan African populations in neighboring regions. The most common A alleles included A30, A23, A28 (A*68), and A2, and the most common B alleles included B15 (group), B53, B58, and B44. Notably, the... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963121 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963121 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963120&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21663782%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bianco B, Teles JS, Lerner TG, Vilarino FL, Christofolini DM, Barbosa CP An aberrant immunologic mechanism has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Fc receptor-like 3 gene (FCRL3) has been proposed as a novel autoimmune predisposing factor. The authors have hypothesized a possible relationship between endometriosis, infertility, and FCRL3 polymorphisms. This was a case-control study that included 170 women with endometriosis-related infertility, 91 women with idiopathic infertility, and 166 controls. Detection of FCRL3 polymorphisms (-169C/T, -110G/A, +358C/G and +1381 A/G) was performed using TaqMan PCR. The results were analyzed statistically and a p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results Single-marker analysis revealed that FCRL3 -... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963120 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963119&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21663783%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we measured soluble HLA-G serum levels in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) affected by different AIDS-defining conditions before and during antiretroviral therapy and correlated them with virologic and immunologic parameters of response to treatment. Soluble HLA-G levels were significantly higher in AIDS patients before treatment as compared with healthy controls and significantly decreased after 36 months of therapy. The decrease of soluble HLA-G correlated with the decrease of plasma HIV-RNA level and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes number and with the increase of CD4(+) T-lymphocytes number. Soluble HLA-G levels were significantly higher in patients with opportunistic infections and Kaposi's sarcoma compared with patients with the wasting syndrome. These data... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963119 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963118&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21664396%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Daniel V, Sadeghi M, Wang H, Opelz G Interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing CD3(+)CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) are more frequently detectable in patients with good than in patients with impaired long-term kidney graft function, suggesting an immunoregulatory role of this induced T regulatory (iTreg) subtype. Herein, the in vitro function of separated CD3(+)CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)IFN-γ(+) PBL that were induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/ionomycin or alloantigenic stimulation was investigated using cell coculture techniques and flow cytometry. CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) PBL with intracellular IFN-γ production increased to 26% in cell cultures stimulated with PMA/ionomycin for 6 hours. Recombinant IFN-γ augmented and anti-IFN-γ monoclonal antibody... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963118 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963117&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21664939%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, 104 healthy unrelated Han subjects recruited from central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, northern China, were investigated by sequence-based typing for MICB allelic variation, the association of MICB alleles with AluyMICB insertion/deletion dimorphism located in MICB intron 1, linkage disequilibrium of MICB with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B and MICA, and HLA-A-C-B-MICA-MICB haplotypic diversity. Ten kinds of MICB alleles were observed, among which MICB(⁎)005:02/010, MICB(⁎)002:01, and MICB(⁎)004:01 were the most frequent alleles with frequencies of 51.44, 16.35, and 11.54%, respectively. Significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) was observed for 9 of the 21 HLA-B-MICB haplotypes and 6 of the 17 MICA-MICB haplotypes with a frequency >1.5%. In particular, HLA-B(�... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963117 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963116&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21664940%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cox ST, Stephens HA, Fernando R, Karasu A, Harber M, Howie AJ, Powis S, Zou Y, Stastny P, Madrigal JA, Little AM Even when kidney allografts are well matched for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and anti-HLA antibodies are not detected, graft rejection can still occur. There is evidence that some patients who lose their graft have antibodies specific for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related chain A (MICA) antigens. We investigated whether mismatching MICA alleles associates with MICA antibody production and graft rejection or dysfunction. MICA and HLA antibody screening in 442 recipients was performed, and specificities were confirmed in a subgroup of 227 recipients using single-antigen multiplex technology. For assignment of MICA antibody specificity, we used t... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963116 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963115&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21664941%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ugolotti E, Vanni I, Raso A, Benzi F, Malnati M, Biassoni R Specific combinations of killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules characterized by a particular residue 80 are significantly associated with outcomes in different pathologic conditions, such as autoimmunity, pathogenic infection, cancer, and reproductive failure. Thus, a simplified method for HLA typing used in association with the analysis of KIR genotype (Kirotype) is of particular interest to extend the analysis of larger series. Here, we describe a quick and inexpensive method that allows use of pyrosequencing, a helpful subtyping of HLA class I molecules, into HLA-Bw6, -Bw4 I(80) or -Bw4 T(80), HLA-C1, or -C2 groups and HLA-A allotypes sharing Bw4+ epitope or ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963115 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963114&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21669243%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, the constellation of specific alleles in CTLA-4, CD28, and ICOS genes contributes to the susceptibility and clinical course of NSCLC. PMID: 21669243 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963114 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4963113&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21669244%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Szabó K, Kemény L Acne is one of the most common dermatologic diseases in the developed regions of the world, affecting a large percentage of the population. Despite the great improvement in the number and quality of studies of the molecular etiology of this disease in the past 3 decades, the detailed molecular pathogenesis and the cause of the large individual variations in severity of skin symptoms remain unknown. The roles of genetic inheritance and special genetic susceptibility and protective factors have been suggested for over 100 years, but their identification and determination started only in the 1990s. To date, only a small number of genetic polymorphisms affecting the expression and/or function of a handful of genes have been investigated. This review surveys the... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4963113 Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4963113 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4871730&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21600259%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, each Foxp3(+) Treg cell subpopulation has unique immune interaction, which controls particular subsets of lymphocytes. PMID: 21600259 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4871730 Tue, 10 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4871730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4871731&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21571020%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Frisullo G, Iorio R, Plantone D, Nociti V, Patanella AK, Marti A, Palermo C, Valentini P, Mariotti P, Batocchi AP Swine-origin H1N1 influenza virus (S-OIV) appeared in 2009 with a higher incidence rate among children. Although fever was the most common symptom, some complicated cases occurred. We evaluated the percentages of effector T cells, B cells, and regulatory T cells in peripheral blood from 5 children infected by S-OIV (1 with acute necrotizing encephalitis, 2 with pneumonia, and 2 without complications), 5 children with seasonal influenza, and 5 healthy children. We found higher percentages of T-bet(+) CD4(+)CD8(+) T cells, monocytes, and B cells, granzyme B(+) and perforin(+) CD4(+), and CD8(+) T cells in affected children with both seasonal and H1N1 influenza than i... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4871731 Mon, 02 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4871731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4871732&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21565239%26dopt%3DAbstract We report in a Caucasian population that NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms influence the development of clinically evident and angiographically documented coronary artery disease. In particular, the Leu1007fsinsC polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of clinically evident and angiographically documented coronary atherosclerosis and clinical destabilization of coronary plaques, whereas the GLY908ARG polymorphism demonstrated a protective effect on coronary atherogenesis. These correlations were independent of cardiovascular risk factors at multivariable analysis. These findings may contribute to the identification of a novel genetic approach for the stratification of cardiovascular risk profile. PMID: 21565239 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4871732 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4871732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4871733&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21565238%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Song YW, Im CH, Park JH, Lee YJ, Lee EY, Lee EB, Park K The aim of this study was to investigate T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM3) genetic polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to the shared epitope (SE) status. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: rs11742259 [C/T], rs10515746 [C/A], rs35960726 [A/G], rs1036199 [A/C], rs4704846 [A/G], and rs11134551 [A/G]) in the TIM3 gene from 366 RA patients and 389 healthy controls were investigated using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Associations between these SNPs and clinical manifestations (including SE status) were investigated using the SPSS program and Haploview. Polymorphisms of rs35690726 (AG+ GG vs AA: 8.2% vs 1.8%, p(c) < 0.001) were significantly associated with RA with or... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4871733 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4871733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815827&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21536088%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Comar M, Segat L, Crovella S, Bovenzi M, Contini E, Tognon M The simultaneous detection of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) and BK virus (BKV) has been recently reported in cervical cancers, suggesting that these viruses may act together in the process of cell transformation; host genetic polymorphisms may also influence virus persistence/reactivation. To disclose a possible role of the gene encoding for the mannose-binding lectin, MBL2, in susceptibility to BKV infection, we analyzed functional polymorphisms in the first exon of MBL2 in women stratified for the presence/absence of BKV and affected by different grades of HPV-induced cervical precancerous lesions. All BKV-positive samples were also HPV positive (HPV 16), and all presented with high-grade squamous intraepith... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815827 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815824&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21536091%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we probed SP110 variants in pulmonary (PTB) and lymph node tuberculosis (LNTB) cases to explore their role in controlling susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in north Indians. We genotyped 24 SP110 variants in over 140 north Indian tuberculosis cases and 78 ethnicity-matched controls. The SP110 gene variants were available from public databases. The cases and controls were free of any population stratification when subjected to Eigenstrat principal component analysis. Genotyping was carried out using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Applying exclusion criteria, 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the LNTB panel and 13 SNPs of the PTB panel passed all filters and were analyzed further. No significant association was observed between SP110 variants a... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815824 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815821&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21540068%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report, we determined that lower concentrations of MβCD (1-4 mM) could accelerate the proliferation of lymphocytes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In the expanded cells, CD3(-)CD56(+) natural killer (NK) cells were the dominant subpopulation, and a significant dose-effect relationship existed between the proportion of NK cells and the concentration of MβCD. In the groups treated with 3-4 mM MβCD, the proportions of NK cells reached a level of more than 60%. When PBMCs were treated with MβCD, CD69 was more preferentially expressed on CD3(-)CD56(+) cells than on CD3(+) cells at 48 and 72 hours. The expression of CD25 had no distinct difference at 48 hours, but when recombinant human interleukin-2 (IL-2) was added for a further 24 hours, it was also preferenti... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815821 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815833&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21515324%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 21515324 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815833 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815832&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21515325%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 21515325 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815832 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815830&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21521649%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marsh SG, PMID: 21521649 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815830 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815826&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21536089%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pandey JP, Kistner-Griffin E Host genetic factors, especially genes of the immune system, are thought to contribute to the racial differences in response rates to therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether immunoglobulin immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain marker (GM) and kappa light chain marker (KM) alleles-genetic markers of γ and κ chains, respectively-were associated with sustained viral response (SVR) in patients treated with peginterferon-α-2a and ribavirin. DNA samples from 319 subjects with genotype-1 HCV infections were allotyped for alleles at four GM loci: GM3/GM17, GM23+/GM23-, GM5/GM21, GM6+/GM6- and the KM locus: KM1/KM3, using molecular methods. Noncarriage of KM1 allele, i.e., KM3 homozygosity, ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815826 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815823&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21539877%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, CD5 may be a useful marker to identify memory T-cell subsets with distinct responsiveness to the homeostatic cytokine IL-15. PMID: 21539877 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815823 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815822&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21539878%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we analyzed the expression of CAMP, DEFA1, DEFB4, and DEFB103A in patients with latent TB and progressive TB with and without comorbidity with diabetes mellitus type 2. Antimicrobial peptide gene expression increased during progressive TB, which could be used as a biomarker for reactivation. By contrast, patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 have lower antimicrobial peptides gene expression, suggesting that the lack of its proper production in these patients contribute to enhance the risk for TB reactivation. PMID: 21539878 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815822 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815820&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21545820%26dopt%3DAbstract Conclusions from association studies could be spurious because of population stratification; therefore we combine association with family studies seeking to confirm which human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles/haplotypes are associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the admixed Latin America. By calculating the effect summary odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), data up to June 2010 showed that risk associations were observed with DRB1*0301-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201 (odds ratio [OR]: 7.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.69-15.25) and DQB1*0302 in presence of DRB1*0405 (OR: 11.64; 95% CI: 3.15-43.01) or DRB1*0401 (OR: 5.85; 95% CI: 3.07-11.14). In contrast, DRB1*0404-DQB1*0302 had a nonsignificant TID risk (OR: 2.23; 95% CI: 0.91-5.43). T1D protective associations... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815820 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815828&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21530600%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Potekhina AV, Provatorov SI, Sokolov VO, Pylaeva EA, Masenko VP, Noeva EA, Kukhtina NB, Krasnikova TL, Arefieva TI Rapamycin contributes to the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vitro. We investigated CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(low) Treg level dynamics as well as the major parameters of cell immunity and sCD25 and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations in the blood of patients after coronary stenting (CS) with sirolimus (rapamycin)-eluting stents (SES; n = 43). The relation between initial Treg values and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis was observed. Treg and sCD25 levels were increased 1 month after CS versus baseline values and versus data in the control group (coronary angiography [CA], n = 20). A positive correlation between Treg and sCD25 ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815828 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815825&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21536090%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we performed a more precise estimation of the relationship by a meta-analysis based on currently available evidence from literature. To assess the effect of IL-6 polymorphisms (-174G/C, -572G/C) on IHD/IS susceptibility, a meta-analysis of 30 available studies was performed through May 2010. Summary odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals for IL-6 polymorphisms and IHD/IS were estimated using fixed- and random-effects models when appropriate. Heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated. When available studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, there was no significant association between IL-6 polymorphisms (-174G/C, -572G/C) and IHD/IS in any comparison model (CC vs GG, GC vs GG, dominant, and recessive models). Subgroup analyses results were consistent with th... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815825 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815831&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21515326%26dopt%3DAbstract We reported an association between 3 SNPs in MYO9B and ileal involvement with rs1457092 as the most significant SNP (p = 0.0073, odds ratio [OR] 0.69 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.52-0.90]). The nonsynonymous SNP rs1545620 exhibited a p value of 0.014, OR 0.72 (95% CI 0.55-0.93). MYO9B was not associated with UC. MAGI2 or PARD3 was not associated with IBD. A 6-SNP haplotype block in MYO9B demonstrated association with CD and ileal CD (p = 0.0030 and 0.0065, respectively). These data demonstrate an association of MYO9B with ileal CD; however, there was no association of MAGI2 and PARD3 with IBD. Because the direction of association of MYO9B in this Canadian study was not consistent with European studies, further studies are needed to elucidate the role of MYO9B in IBD. PMID: 21515... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815831 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815829&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524676%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li D, Wang T, Song X, Qucuo M, Yang B, Zhang J, Wang J, Ying B, Tao C, Wang L MicroRNAs (miRNA) are thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of diseases. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within miRNAs can change their characteristics via altering their target selection and/or expression, resulting in functional and/or phenotypic changes. We decided to investigate the genetic association with pulmonary tuberculosis with 2 nucleotide variations within corresponding microRNAs regulating the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediating signal pathway. MiRNAs potentially regulating the TLR-mediating signal pathway were predicted via bioinformatics. Finally, 2 SNPs, rs2910164 G>C and rs3746444 T>C within miR-146a and miR-499, were selected as candidates in accordance wi... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815829 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815846&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21510991%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mitsunaga S, Homma Y, Narita A, Kashiwase K, Okudaira Y, Shiina Y, Inoue I, Inoko H We analyzed genetic associations among 7 biochemical traits (fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and uric acid) and 6 HLA loci using 1,616 individuals who visited the Health Evaluation and Promotion Center at Tokai University Hospital. Significant differences between the individuals carrying particular HLA alleles and those not carrying the alleles in certain biochemical traits were observed by Mann-Whitney U test. In female subjects, DPB1*03:01 was significantly associated with HbA1c (p = 0.0000665), and DRB1*14:03 was associated with total cholesterol concentration (p = 0.0015). In mal... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815846 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815845&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21510992%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sandrin-Garcia P, Brandão LA, Coelho AV, Guimarães RL, Pancoto JA, Segat L, Donadi EA, de Lima-Filho JL, Crovella S Susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been associated with immunologic, environmental, and genetic factors. To uncover a possible association between MBL2 gene polymorphisms and SLE, we analyzed functional polymorphisms in the promoter and first exon of the MBL2 gene in 134 Brazilian SLE patients and 101 healthy controls. Genotype and allele frequencies of MBL2 A/O polymorphism were significantly different between patients and controls, and the O allele was associated with an increased risk of SLE. An association between low mannose binding lectin (MBL) producer combined genotypes and increased risk for SLE was also reported. Furthermore, whe... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815845 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815844&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21513752%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen T, Liang W, Gao L, Wang Y, Liu Y, Zhang L, Zhang L Increasing evidence has indicated that genetic variants may contribute to immune dysregulation and susceptibility to noninfectious inflammatory diseases. Cytokines, including interleukin 12 (IL-12), play a key role in the regulation of the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in IL-12A and IL-12B were associated with asthma in a Chinese population. Genotype characteristics were determined in 197 asthma patients and 369 controls by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method and DNA sequencing assay. The genotype and allele frequencies of IL-12A rs568408 demonstrated significant differences between cases and controls (p < ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815844 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815843&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21513753%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kaufmann I, Feuerecker M, Salam A, Schelling G, Thiel M, Choukèr A Space flight and gravitational stress can alter innate immune function. Parabolic flights (PFs) as a model for short-term gravitational changes prime the cytotoxic capability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). In view of the emerging role of adenosine in the regulation of innate immune responses, we examined the potency of adenosine to control the release of cytotoxic H(2)O(2) by primed PMNs via the adenosine receptor system. During PFs, microgravity conditions (<10(-2) G) are generated for approximately 22 seconds, followed by a hypergravity (1.8 G) phase resulting in gravitational stress. We studied the ex vivo effects of adenosine on the production of H(2)O(2) by stimulated PMNs and determined adeno... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815843 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815842&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21513754%26dopt%3DAbstract We present high-resolution allele and haplotype frequency (HF) estimations of the Polish population based on more than 20,000 registered stem cell donors. Sequencing-based donor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing led to unambiguous typing results in most cases (between 94.3% for HLA-DRB1 and 96.9% for HLA-B). HF estimations were carried out with a new, validated implementation of the expectation-maximization algorithm that allowed processing of data with ambiguities. Our results confirm several earlier results, for example, the relative commonness of the haplotype A*25:01g, B*18:01g, C*12:03, DRB1*04:01 in the Polish population. Because of the large sample size, we were able to obtain results of unprecedented accuracy. The estimated population-specific HFs were then used to analyze quest... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815842 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815841&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21513755%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Douroudis K, Kingo K, Traks T, Rätsep R, Silm H, Vasar E, Kõks S Genes in autophagy pathway play an important role in innate and adaptive immunity. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of ATG16L1 gene on susceptibility of palmoplantar pustulosis. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the ATG16L1 region (rs2241880, rs2241879, rs7587633, and rs13005285) were genotyped in 241 control subjects and 38 palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) patients of Estonian descent. The data analysis revealed a significantly higher frequency distribution of the rs2241880 G (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, p = 0.0073) and rs2241879 A (OR = 1.87, p = 0.0079) allele in the PPP group when compared with the control group. The frequency distribution of the GACG haplotype was significantly highe... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815841 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815840&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21513756%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, 201 healthy, unrelated Han subjects in Hunan province, southern China, were investigated by sequence-based typing (SBT) for the allelic variation of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related gene A (MICA). Nineteen MICA alleles were observed, among which MICA*008:01 predominated with gene frequency of 30.35%. There was significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) of MICA*012:01 with HLA-B*54 and HLA-B*55, which was not observed in a northern Chinese Han population. Haplotype HLA-A*11-C*07-B60-MICA*008:01 (9.16%) was highly specific to this southern Chinese Han population. The most common five-locus haplotype in this population was HLA-A*02-C*01-B*46-MICA*010-DRB1*09 (8.73%). A new MICA allele, MICA*060, was identified on an HLA-A*02-C*01-B*55:02-DRB1*... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815840 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815839&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21513757%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was designed to analyze the OPN serum level in Behçet's disease (BD) and the association of gene polymorphisms of OPN and its receptors with BD. The serum level of OPN in active BD patients, inactive BD patients, and controls was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of OPN and 4 SNPs of OPN receptors were genotyped in 318 BD patients and 313 controls using a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The OPN level was significantly increased in the serum of active BD patients compared with inactive BD patients and controls. SNP analysis indicated an increased frequency of the OPN rs1126772 A allele in BD patients compared with controls. However, the significance was lost after Bonferroni correct... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815839 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815838&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21513758%26dopt%3DAbstract This study aimed to assess the association between the polymorphism of HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1 alleles and sarcoidosis in Chinese Han subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from 131 patients with sarcoidosis and 122 healthy controls. The polymorphisms of the HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1 alleles were determined using a polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer method. The frequency of allele HLA-DRB1*11 in sarcoidosis patients was significantly higher than that in controls (24.43% vs 4.92%, p/p(c) = 0.0001/0.002), whereas the frequencies of allele HLA-B*13 and HLA-DRB1*07 were markedly lower in sarcoidosis patients than in controls (12.21% vs 27.87%, p/p(c) = 0.002/0.045; 7.63% vs 22.95%, p/p(c) =0.001/0.009). HLA-B*51 was overrepresented in patients with erythema nodosum and Löfgren's syndrome... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815838 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815837&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21513759%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vatta S, Fabris A, Segat L, Not T, Crovella S We genotyped celiac disease (CD)-associated haplotypes DQ2.5, DQ8, DQ2.2, and DQ7 in 1005 CD patients from North Eastern Italy using a Tag-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) approach and real time PCR platform, checking the accuracy and reliability of the method and comparing it to traditional PCR-SSP. Only 14 of 2010 chromosomes analyzed (0.7%) showed discrepancies between the Tag-SNPs real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and the PCR-single-strand polymorphism (SSP) technique, indicating a high sensitivity and specificity (ranging from 0.987 to 1 and from 0.998 to 0.999, respectively) for tagging with respect to corresponding human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles identified by PCR-SSP. Moreover, the overall cost of ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815837 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815836&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21513760%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Idris ZM, Miswan N, Muhi J, Mohd TA, Kun JF, Noordin R Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic disease caused by threadlike worms of the Brugia and Wuchereria species that live in the human lymphatic system. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may play a key role in the pathogenesis of LF, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4) expressed by Tregs is a potential candidate gene because it modulates T-cell activation. A case-control study was performed to establish a potential association of 5 CTLA4 gene promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs733618, rs11571316, rs5742909, rs231775, and rs16840252) with the occurrence of LF in an East Malaysian population (320 LF-infected individuals and 150 healthy controls). Polymorphisms were evaluated using TaqMan real-time polymeras... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815836 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815835&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21514340%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Alcaraz-García MJ, Ruiz-Lafuente N, Sebastián-Ruiz S, Majado MJ, González-García C, Bernardo MV, Álvarez-López MR, Parrado A DOCK10 is a member of the dedicator of cytokinesis (DOCK) family of Rho GTPase activators preferentially expressed in lymphocytes. In this paper, we analyzed DOCK10 mRNA diversity produced because of alternative splicing. Alternative first coding exon usage led to 2 main protein-coding transcripts, DOCK10.1 and DOCK10.2. Full-length cDNA clones of both isoforms were obtained from both normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and mouse spleen for the first time for human DOCK10.1, mouse DOCK10.1, and mouse DOCK10.2. Human and mouse DOCK10.1 clones corresponded to the protein coding assemblies provided by the National Center for Biotechnology... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815835 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815834&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21514341%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Arai T, Kakuta Y, Kinouchi Y, Kimura T, Negoro K, Aihara H, Endo K, Shiga H, Kanazawa Y, Kuroha M, Moroi R, Nagasawa H, Shimodaira Y, Takahashi S, Shimosegawa T NKX2.3 is a promising candidate for susceptibility genes to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to perform a candidate gene analysis of NKX2.3 in Japanese IBD and to examine how the risk allele (haplotype) affects susceptibility to IBD using allelic expression ratios of NKX2.3 mRNA in the involved colonic mucosa. A total of 344 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 253 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 243 healthy controls (HCs) were genotyped for 3 tag-single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs10883365, rs888208, and rs11596008) around NKX2.3. The allelic expression ratio of NKX2.3-mRNA w... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815834 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815847&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21463659%26dopt%3DAbstract We describe here the abnormalities observed during testing of 600 HSCT patients. HLA molecular typing was performed by reference strand conformational analyses and/or sequence-based typing. STR testing was performed with 10 to 16 STR primer sets, following 1 to 4 informative loci in each patient. Eight patients exhibited either loss of heterozygosity (4 STR, 3 HLA) or STR length mutation (n = 1), and 5 of the 8 exhibited correlative cytogenetic abnormalities. Diagnoses were acute myelogenous leukemia (AML; n = 7) or myelofibrosis (MFIB: n = 1), yielding an 11% incidence of these chromosomal abnormalities among the subset of 72 AML/MFIB HSCT patients. These results highlight some of the problems encountered and the possibility for interpretive errors that can arise when analyzing molecular ... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815847 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4655460&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21414368%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Basha S, Hazenfeld S, Brady RC, Subbramanian RA T cells are being increasingly recognized as a significant component of influenza-specific immune responses in humans. While an inactivated- and a live-attenuated influenza vaccine are now licensed for use in humans, their comparative ability to elicit T cell responses against influenza is not well understood. Using the rapidly-evolving H3N2 hemagglutinin (HA) as an antigenic model, we compared immune responses elicited by the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) and the live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in a cohort of healthy young adults (18 to 49 years old). TIV elicited higher geometric mean antibody titers than LAIV; whereas, LAIV elicited superior T cell responses. Importantly, LAIV elicited higher magnitude... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4655460 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4655460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4655459&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21414369%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Douroudis K, Sirotkina M, Kingo K, Mössner R, Kõks S The PRO2268 gene encodes for the PRO2268 molecule and maps to a chromosomal region (12q14), which clusters genes with a key role in immune signaling. Although the PRO2268 protein is as yet of unknown function, we should not exclude the possibility that the PRO2268 gene due to its location it might has a distinct role in autoimmunity and inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression pattern of the PRO2268 protein in psoriasis skin. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections from normal and psoriasis skin tissue were studied immunohistochemically using custom order antibodies (anti-PRO2268#1 and anti-PRO2268#2) against the PRO2268. The present study revealed an expression of the anti-PRO2268#2 i... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4655459 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4655459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4655461&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21406206%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Himmelreich H, Mathys A, Wodnar-Filipowicz A, Kalberer CP The stress-inducible ULBP1 cell surface ligand for the activating immunoreceptor NKG2D allows recognition and lysis of tumor cells by natural killer (NK) and T cells. Understanding of mechanisms regulating ULBP1 expression is limited, while important for exploiting NKG2D-dependent anti-tumor responses. We studied the role of 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) in post-transcriptional regulation of ULBP1 expression in Jurkat and HeLa cells. Analysis of 2.4 kb-long 3'UTR revealed the presence of four AU-rich elements (ARE) and more then 200 putative microRNA binding sites. Stable or transient delivery of luciferase reporter constructs containing ULBP1-3'UTR sequences resulted in a strong reduction of luciferase activity to 7%-... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4655461 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4655461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4593102&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21396421%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pereira S, Perkins S, Lee JH, Shumway W, Lefor W, Lopez-Cepero M, Wong C, Connolly A, Tan JC, Grumet FC Pre-transplant screening of a female with ESRD showed no anti-HLA alloantibodies by AHG-CDC (Class I) or ELISA (Class II). Following a negative AHG-CDC crossmatch, an HLA*01:01+ DD kidney was transplanted in 09/05. Subsequent screening of pre-txplt serum by LABScreen® Single Antigen (SA) array showed strong reactivity vs. A*01:01. Despite that reactivity, at 5 years post-txplt the patient has a serum creatinine of 1.6 mg/dl and has never suffered humoral or cellular rejection. Retrospective FXM of pre- and post-txplt sera vs. DD cells was negative. Rescreening of multiple pre and post-txplt sera revealed anti-A1 reactivity persisting from the very first through the last sam... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4593102 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4593102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4593105&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21377502%26dopt%3DAbstract CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that decreased expression of MBD2 and MBD4 might involve in the pathogenesis of ITP. PMID: 21377502 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4593105 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4593105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4593104&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21377503%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cusick MF, Yang M, Gill JC, Eckels DD Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a high rate of replication and lacks RNA-proofreading capabilities, thereby leading to variant or mutant viruses circulating within the host as a quasispecies. Previous work in our laboratory identified viral variants that emerged in a class-II immunodominant epitope NS3(358-375) of the non-structural-3 (NS3) protein region of HCV, the sequence of which is based on genotype 1A, the most prevalent genotype in the U.S. population. Further work suggested that positive immune selection pressure was driving viral variation. Paradoxically, viral variants account for only a small percentage of the circulating virus in humans and chimpanzees, suggesting that passive evasion is not the only means of escape by HCV. This o... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4593104 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4593104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4593103&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21377504%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Weng PJ, Fu YM, Ding SX, Xu DP, Lin A, Yan WH The subversion of immune responses that hepatitis C virus (HCV) uses to escape immune surveillance and establish persistent infection was poorly understood. The immune suppressive molecule, HLA-G has been supposed to play important roles in viral infection. In the current study, HCV genotype was analyzed in 67 chronic HCV infected (CHC) patients. Meanwhile, plasma sHLA-G (including sHLA-G1 and HLA-G5), IL-10 and IFN-γ levels were determined both in these CHC patients and healthy donors with ELISA, and the sHLA-G isoforms presented in plasma were determined by western blot. Data showed that HCV 1b was the most predominant genotype with the prevalence of 64.2%. sHLA-G was dramatically increased in CHC patients (median: 85.54 U/ml, r... Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4593103 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4593103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4593107&cid=s_33856_3_f&fid=33856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21376097%26dopt%3DAbstract CONCLUSION: We concluded that preeclampsia is associated with decreased levels of nitric oxide and increased levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines due to SNP, pointing towards the role of endothelial and inflammatory components. PMID: 21376097 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Human Immunology) Human Immunology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4593107 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4593107