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 'Immunology Letters' source. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:42:53 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5641657&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22281390%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ballek O, Broučková A, Manning J, Filipp D Abstract Lck is the principal signal-generating tyrosine kinase of the T cell activation mechanism. We have previously demonstrated that induced Lck activation outside of lipid rafts (LR) results in the rapid translocation of a fraction of Lck to LR. While this translocation predicates the subsequent production of IL-2, the mechanism underpinning this process is unknown. Here, we describe the main attributes of this translocating pool of Lck. Using fractionation of Brij58 lysates, derived from primary naive non-activated CD4(+) T cells, we show that a significant portion of Lck is associated with high molecular weight complexes representing a special type of detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) of relatively high density and sen... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5641657 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5641657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5602859&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22249079%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the Th1/Th17 imbalance in peripheral blood through out the pathological process of acute GVHD, using a GVHD model of C57BL/6 (H-2(b)) donor to BALB/c (H-2(d)) recipient. We also analyzed the correlation between Th1/Th17 ratio and severity of acute GVHD, and explored the potential function of Th1/Th17 imbalance in acute GVHD. Recipients received 5×10(6) spleen cells (SP) underwent more severe acute GVHD, compared with the ones received 5×10(5) SP. Severe GVHD bearing recipients had much higher proportion of Th1 cells but lower proportion of Th17 cells, compared with mild GVHD bearing ones. The Th1/Th17 ratios in both groups underwent relative changes according to the changing proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells and showed positive correlation with clinical sco... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5602859 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5602859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5602860&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22249078%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xu L, Wang C, Zhou Y, Ren T, Wen Z Abstract Our previous data showed that CpG-ODNs could significantly enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of adoptively cell transfer (ACT), which was closely correlated to accumulation of Th17 cells in tumor mass. Here we further investigated that CpG-ODNs had no significant effect on the migration and proliferation capacity of Th17 cells in tumor mass. Instead, we showed that CpG-ODNs could induce the differentiation of Th17 cells via dendritic cells (DCs) in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Notably, we found that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), but not myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs), were responsible for the Th17 differentiation induced by CpG-ODNs via IL-6, TGF-β and IFN-α in vitro. Finally, we revealed that CpG-ODNs could stim... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5602860 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5602860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5602861&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22245119%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ko KK, Powell MS, Orlowski E, Prickett S, Krumbiegel D, Hogarth PM Abstract Interleukin 17 producing T helper cells (Th17) and IFNγ producing Th1 cells are distinct subsets of effector memory CD4(+) T cells that are crucial to host immunity and have been linked to the pathology of certain inflammatory autoimmune diseases. We have developed a method for the isolation and long term culture of human Th17 and Th1 cells. Using allogeneic stimulation we have cultured homogeneous populations of Th17 and Th1 cells to large cell numbers. These alloreactive cell lines were established from CD4 CD45RO memory T cells expressing, or lacking, CCR6 and CCR4. The Th17 cells were derived only from cells expressing both CCR6 and CCR4 whereas the Th1 cells, secreting IFNγ, were derived fro... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5602861 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5602861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5561099&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22207038%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rougerie P, Delon J Abstract Rho GTPases are key signal transducer elements activated in T cells by both chemokine and antigen receptors. These two signalling pathways control the two main functions of T lymphocytes: motility and activation. Rho GTPases are thus crucial for the development of an adequate immune response. In this review, we mostly focus on the roles of RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42 in T cells. We show their importance in phenomena such as adhesion, morphological polarization, migration and antigen recognition. PMID: 22207038 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5561099 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5561099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5561100&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22207037%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zanoni I, Bodio C, Broggi A, Ostuni R, Caccia M, Collini M, Venkatesh A, Spreafico R, Capuano G, Granucci F Abstract The lipopolysaccharide is the major component of Gram-negative bacteria outer membrane. LPS comprises three covalently linked regions: the lipid A, the rough core oligosaccharide, and the O-antigenic side chain determining serotype specificity. Wild-type LPS (sLPS) contains the O-antigenic side chain and is referred to as smooth. Rough LPS (rLPS) does not contain the O-side chain. Most wt bacteria and especially wt Enterobacteriaceae express prevalently the sLPS form although some truncated rLPS molecules always reach the external membrane. The two sLPS and rLPS forms are used almost indistinctly to study the effects on innate immune cells. Nevertheless, the... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5561100 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5561100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5561101&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22193059%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Odkhuu E, Koide N, Haque A, Tsolmongyn B, Naiki Y, Hashimoto S, Komatsu T, Yoshida T, Yokochi T Abstract The effect of pyrroloquinoline quinine (PQQ) on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation was examined using RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells. RANKL led to the formation of osteoclasts identified as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells in the culture of RAW 264.7 cells. However, PQQ inhibited the appearance of osteoclasts and prevented the decrease of F4/80 macrophage maturation marker on RANKL-stimulated cells, suggesting a preventive action of PQQ on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. PQQ inhibited the activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATc1), a key transcription fac... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5561101 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5561101 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5535807&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22142906%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, our data indicate that C1q could have a role in regulating platelet activation and associated leukocyte recruitment during vessel wall injury. This has implications for inflammatory disorders such as coronary artery disease. PMID: 22142906 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5535807 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5535807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5475630&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22138405%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hutchinson AT, Jones DR, Raison RL Abstract During antibody synthesis, immunoglobulin light chains are produced in excess of heavy chains and, as a consequence, can be secreted by plasma cells as free light chains (FLC). Thus, FLC were considered to be a by-product of immunoglobulin synthesis, lacking any biological function or relevance. However, mounting evidence suggests that FLC are bioactive molecules. For example, FLC can induce antigen specific type I hypersensitivity and inhibit viral replication in encephalomyocarditis infected mice. We have recently shown that FLC can associate with the outer membrane of certain plasma cells via interaction with saturated phosphocholine lipids such as sphingomyelin. As these lipids are highly abundant in mammalian cell membranes,... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5475630 Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5475630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5475631&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22123395%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Atassi MZ, Dolimbek BZ, Steward LE, Aoki KR Abstract A surface-simulation peptide, SQMIN[GG]TTNI[G]NSIS[G]RDTH[G]NLES, (SS-peptide) was synthesized that described the spatial interrelationships of 21 residues on the surface of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A). The glycine residues in brackets were spacers between surface segments of BoNT/A. The SS-peptide did not contain an antigenic or a synaptosome (snps)-binding site of BoNT/A and it did not bind anti-BoNT/A antibodies (Abs) or inhibit toxin binding to synaptosomes. Antibodies prepared by immunization with the free peptide or with peptide-ovalbumin (OVA) conjugate did not protect mice in vivo against a lethal dose of the toxin. Early Abs (day 52) against free SS-peptide recognized the peptide and showed a small cros... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5475631 Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5475631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5475629&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22138406%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Frigola X, Inman BA, Krco CJ, Liu X, Harrington SM, Bulur PA, Dietz AB, Dong H, Kwon ED Abstract Tumor cells aberrantly express several T cell inhibitory molecules including members of the B7-H co-regulatory family. Presumably tumor-expressed B7-H1 and B7-H3 confer resistance to elimination by the immune system. In addition, elevated levels of soluble B7-H1 (sB7-H1) has been identified in the sera of cancer patients, including renal carcinoma patients and is associated with increased cancer related death. Here we report that sB7-H1 is produced and released by activated mature dendritic cells (mDC). Immature DC, macrophages, monocytes, or T cells are refractory to releasing sB7-H1. Exposure of CD4 and CD8+ T cells to mDC-derived sB7-H1 molecules induced apoptosis. These dat... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5475629 Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5475629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5440291&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22108236%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim TW, Kang JS, Kong JM, Bae S, Yu Y, Chung H, Yu HG Abstract To determine whether or not maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) is associated with pathogenesis of endogenous uveitis, we analyzed expression of maturation markers, including CD80, CD86, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, in peripheral blood (PB) DCs for comparison between healthy controls (HCs) and uveitis patients. A total of 21 patients and 16 HCs were included. Flow cytometric analysis was performed using PB DCs during the active phase of intraocular inflammation. CD86 and HLA-DR expression was higher in PB DCs from uveitis patients versus HCs, whereas that of CD80 was not significantly different. Levels of CD86 and HLA-DR expression tended to parallel those of inflammatory activity, and decreased after ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5440291 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5440291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5440330&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22093807%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Igarashi H, Yahagi A, Saika T, Hashimoto J, Tomita T, Yoshikawa H, Ishihara K Abstract Circuit of chronic inflammation in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starts from the production of inflammatory cytokines by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) stimulated by TNFα produced by inflammatory cells mainly composed of macrophages. In this context, TNFα/NF-κB pathway plays an essential role for the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here we show that the kinetics of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes induced by TNFα in FLS from RA was synchronized with that of A20, ABIN1, and ABIN3 that have been thought as negative regulators for NF-κB activation. Furthermore, based on this finding, we could tentatively categorize the RA-FLS into two groups; TNFα low-respond... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5440330 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5440330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381424&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22033216%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zilahi E, Tarr T, Papp G, Griger Z, Sipka S, Zeher M Abstract MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) is a microRNA supposed to regulate innate immune, inflammatory response and antiviral pathway negatively. Recently, its potential use as a biomarker for disease diagnosis, prevention and treatment has become widely investigated. In the current study, we measured the expression of miR-146a/b, and their target genes, IRAK1, IRAK4, TRAF6 in the peripheral mononuclear cells of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (n=21) and healthy controls (n=10) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We found that both miR-146a and miR-146b, furthermore, the gene of TRAF6 were significantly overexpressed in the Sjögren's patients, whereas the expression of IRAK1 gene was significant... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381424 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381423&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22037570%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we examined the role of another member of the TNFR superfamily, 4-1BB (CD137, TNFRSF9), and its ligand (4-1BBL, CD137L, TNFSF9), that have been described to control the generation of memory CD8 T cell populations elicited by other viruses such as influenza. Expression of 4-1BB and 4-1BBL was observed in wild-type mice during the primary infection, but we found that both 4-1BB and 4-1BBL deficient mice generated normal numbers of VACV-specific effector CD8 T cells that produced IFN-γ and TNF. Additionally, CD8 T cells deficient in 4-1BB were able to expand and persist comparably to wild-type T cells in response to VACV infection. Furthermore, the knockout mice also showed no defect in development of VACV-specific CD8 memory T cell populations. Lastly, showing alternate contr... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381423 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381422&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22037571%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, the allergic asthmatic responses induced by passive sensitization with IgE mAb can provide a useful model system to study the pathological roles of IgE in acute and chronic phases of allergic asthma. PMID: 22037571 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381422 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381421&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22037624%26dopt%3DAbstract CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms of immune regulation during recovery from influenza are being elucidated. We provide evidence that pulmonary AAM are induced during influenza infection and may contribute to the elicitation of hypersusceptibility to a secondary bacterial infection. PMID: 22037624 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381421 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381425&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22027563%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shrestha D, Szöllősi J, Jenei A Abstract Bare lymphocyte syndrome (BLS) is a rare immunodeficiency disorder manifested by the partial or complete disappearance of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins from the surface of the cells. Based on this specific feature, it is categorized into three different types depending on which type of MHC protein is affected. These proteins are mainly involved in generating the effective immune responses by differentiating 'self' from 'non-self' antigens through a process referred to as antigen presentation. Investigations on BLS have immensely contributed to our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of these molecules and have led to the discovery of several important proteins of the antigen presentation pathway. Revi... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381425 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381427&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22020264%26dopt%3DAbstract This study shows that T cells producing IL-17 can be found in the lung of respiratory patients in the absence of ex vivo stimulation, making IL-17 a good candidate marker of specific pathologies of the lung. Upon stimulation, IL-17 production was accounted for by CD4(+) CD45RO(+) cells. Other cytokines are also discussed. An interesting cytokine secretion profile found in BALF from a patient with rheumatoid lung disease is also reported. PMID: 22020264 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381427 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381426&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22020265%26dopt%3DAbstract CONCLUSION: Modulation of the S1P homeostasis by deletion of either SphK1 or SphK2 alters the sensitization and effector phase of food allergy. PMID: 22020265 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381426 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381429&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22015638%26dopt%3DAbstract CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These in vitro data, obtained at concentrations similar to those reached in vivo at bronchial level, are in favor of an efficient inhibition of ciclesonide on the T-cell mediated response toward allergens. Additional studies are required to confirm these preliminary data on the reduced activity of the drug on allergen-specific T-cell blast activation that may have clinical relevance. PMID: 22015638 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381429 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381429 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381428&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22015639%26dopt%3DAbstract CONCLUSION: H(2)S is a potent gaseous molecule that can upregulate the expression of a series of pro-inflammatory genes in RA and OA-FLS. Therefore, caution is advised in patients with active RA when taking sulphur bath therapy. PMID: 22015639 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381428 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381428 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381430&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22004873%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chung BH, Kim KW, Sun IO, Choi SR, Park HS, Jeon EJ, Kim BM, Choi BS, Park CW, Kim YS, Cho ML, Yang CW Abstract Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) exhibit immune dysregulation, but the precise immunological profile and the effect of hemodialysis (HD) on it has not been investigated fully. Thirty-eight ESRD patients (22 on HD and 16 in pre-dialysis) and 24 healthy volunteers were included. We compared the T cell immune profiles as in these patients. Among the effector T cell subset, the percentages of Th17 and Th2 cells were significantly higher in the ESRD group than in the healthy controls (P<0.05). The percentage of Th1 cells did not differ significantly between these groups. The percentages of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells did not differ significantly (P>0.05)... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381430 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381432&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22001011%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Forsbach A, Müller C, Montino C, Kritzler A, Curdt R, Benahmed A, Jurk M, Vollmer J Abstract Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) induce robust degradation of homologous mRNAs. Highly specific silencing of target genes makes siRNA an interesting tool in drug development. However, several non-specific effects complicate the use of RNA interference (RNAi). One of the most prevalent unspecific effects is triggering the innate immune system in mammals. In parallel, activating the immune system may open the possibility to develop dual siRNAs for treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer. Here, we show that the best use of unmodified siRNAs for RNAi and immune activation depends on the delivery system, formulation condition, sequence and siRNA design concerning ORN motifs.... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381432 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5381431&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22001489%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mena de la Cruz R, López-Lera A, López-Trascasa M Abstract Hereditary angioedema (HAE) due to C1-inhibitor (C1-Inh) deficiency is an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in the SERPING1 locus. According to protein levels in plasma, two HAE phenotypes have been described: Type I, with low circulating protein levels in plasma, and Type II, where the protein is present but dysfunctional. Although more than 200 mutations have been described to date, studies on the molecular basis of this autosomic dominant trait are scarce. Previous studies demonstrated that C1-Inh mRNA expression was decreased in HAE patients. Herein, we have confirmed these findings in a large series of Spanish patients. Moreover, when our data were analyzed taking into account the type of mutati... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5381431 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5381431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5313360&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21968078%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Martínez-Bravo MJ, Tallón I, Espigado I, Perez-Simón JA, Pérez-Romero P, Gracia-Ahufinger I, Aguilera I, Núñez-Roldán A Abstract B cell responses to minor histocompatibility antigens (mHags) have not been extensively studied after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) is a drug metabolizing enzyme encoded by a single gene that is highly expressed in liver and kidney. Anti-GSTT1 antibodies have been described in the context of antibody-mediated rejection in kidney and liver transplantation, due to a mismatch between donor and recipient. The aim of the present study was to investigate the specific immune response against GSTT1 in HSCT with production of antibodies and their influence in the development of hepat... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5313360 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5313360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5281717&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21963654%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Clark AG, Mackin KM, Foster MH Abstract Organ deposition of autoantibodies against the noncollagenous-1 domain of the α3 chain of type IV collagen leads to severe kidney and lung injury in anti-glomerular basement membrane disease. The origin and regulation of these highly pathogenic autoantibodies remains unknown. Anti-α3(IV) collagen B lymphocytes are predicted to mature in vivo ignorant of target antigen because α3(IV) collagen expression is highly tissue restricted and pathogenic epitopes are cryptic. However, a recent analysis of an anti-α3(IV)NC1 collagen autoantibody transgenic mouse model revealed that developing B cells are rapidly silenced by deletion and editing in the bone marrow. To dissect the role of collagen as central tolerogen in this model, we determ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5281717 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5281717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5281720&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945175%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yu K, Chen Z, Khatri I, Gorczynski RM Abstract We have previously reported that transgenic overexpression of CD200 in either mouse skin graft donors or recipients significantly enhances skin allograft survival. By focused microarray analysis we showed this enhanced graft survival is associated with increased expression of Foxp3, GITR, CTLA-4 and CCR4 mRNA, all genes related to T(reg) cell induction/function, and of Gata3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and somewhat surprisingly, of T-bet, INF-γ and granzyme b. Gene-specific real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis confirmed an increase in Foxp3(+) T(reg) cells in both the skin grafts and draining lymph nodes (DLNs) of CD200(tg) recipient mice at both 7/14 days post engraftment, as well as providing evidence for increased expre... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5281720 Sat, 17 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5281720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5281719&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945176%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, these findings indicate that rP22-based vaccines could be useful to elicit protection and reduce pathology associated to schistosomiasis. PMID: 21945176 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5281719 Sat, 17 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5281719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5281718&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944889%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the cytokine profiles induced by the activation of CD4(+) T cells of PPs. PP cells from TCR transgenic mice secreted greater amounts of IL-5 and IL-6 than spleen cells after antigenic stimulation. IL-5 was mainly produced by PP non-T cells, whereas IL-6 was secreted by PP CD4(+) cells. PPs contained two major populations including naïve and memory/activated CD4(+) cells; both populations secreted IL-6 upon activation. We also found that CD4(+)/CD62L(hi) naïve cells from PPs secreted a greater amount of IL-6 after stimulation than those from the spleen. Furthermore, subtraction and qPCR analyses revealed that PP CD4(+)/CD62L(hi) cells express a greater amount of transcripts of GA-binding protein β subunit 1 than those of the spleen. These results suggest th... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5281718 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5281718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5233161&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21920387%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Platzer B, Ruiter F, van der Mee J, Fiebiger E Abstract Soluble isoforms of three human IgE Fc receptors, namely FcɛRI, FcɛRII, and galectin-3, can be found in serum. These soluble IgE receptors are a diverse family of proteins unified by the characteristic of interacting with IgE in the extracellular matrix. A truncated form of the alpha-chain of FcɛRI, the high affinity IgE receptor, has recently been described as a soluble isoform (sFcɛRI). Multiple soluble isoforms of CD23 (sCD23), the low affinity IgE receptor also known as FcɛRII, are generated via different mechanisms of extracellular and intracellular proteolysis. The second low affinity IgE receptor, galectin-3, only exists as a secretory protein. We here discuss the physiological roles of these three soluble... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5233161 Tue, 06 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5233161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5219388&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21911007%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rennert PD Abstract T cell, immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-1 (TIM-1) is the nominant member of a small family of related proteins that regulate immune cell activities. TIM-1 was initially characterized in a mouse congenic analysis of Th2 T cell responses and related pathology. Data accumulated to date suggest that TIM-1 regulates effector T cell function, and may play distinct roles in the activities of B cells, invariant NKT cells and epithelial cells. In addition, a variety of ligands for TIM-1 have been proposed. In this review I discuss recent data that have accumulated on the function of TIM-1, propose a model to explain how TIM-1 regulates effector T cell activity through recognition of distinct ligands, and review others functions of this increasingly fascin... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5219388 Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5219388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5219391&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21893096%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, our study demonstrates that SEP effectively inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo via enhancement of host immune system function, and it could be a potential therapeutic drug for hepatocarcinoma. PMID: 21893096 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5219391 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5219391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5219389&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21903133%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Smuda C, Wechsler JB, Bryce PJ Abstract Histamine is a bioactive amine that exerts immunomodulatory functions, including many allergic symptoms. It is preformed and stored in mast cells and basophils but recent evidence suggests that other cell types produce histamine in an inducible fashion. During infection, it has been suggested that neutrophils may produce histamine. We also observed that histamine is released in a neutrophil-mediated LPS-induced model of acute lung injury. Therefore, we sought to examine whether innate signals promote histamine production by neutrophils. Bone marrow-derived neutrophils stimulated with a range of TLR agonists secreted histamine in response to LPS or R837, suggesting TLR4 or TLR7 are important. LPS-driven histamine was enhanced by cocul... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5219389 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5219389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5219390&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21896286%26dopt%3DAbstract This study evaluates the effects of pristane and phytol, two mineral oils with pro-oxidative effects, on the course of experimental autoimmune uveitis. C57BL6 mice were immunized with IRBP1-20 peptide emulsified in CFA and treated five days prior to immunization with phytol or with pristane or with PBS as control. Administration of pristane reduces the incidence and severity of IRBP-induced uveitis as demonstrated by the decrease in vasculitis and inflammatory foci in fundus and by a reduction in histological damages and leukocyte infiltration compared to untreated or phytol-treated mice. The protective effect observed is associated with a decreased activation of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and a decrease in the intensity of the Th1 and Th17 autoimmune response to IRBP in prista... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5219390 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5219390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5176997&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21864577%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Winter O, Mohr E, Manz RA PMID: 21864577 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5176997 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5176997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5141731&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21849156%26dopt%3DAbstract This study showed that the transcription levels of MD-2, TLR4 and MyD88 in the NR8383 cell line were up-regulated after LPS stimulation and that the increased transcript levels were attenuated after RNA interference of MD-2. Similarly, LPS induced increases in TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 protein levels in NR8383 cell supernatants was significantly inhibited by MD-2 silencing. These results suggest that in association with the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway LPS-induced cytokine production can be partially reduced by MD-2 silencing in the rat pulmonary alveolar macrophage cell line NR8383. MD-2 silencing was proved to be a useful tool for testing the role of MD-2 in the LPS signaling pathway and may be a potential therapeutic tool against LPS-induced lung inflammation. PMID: 21849156 [PubMed -... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5141731 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5141731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5141734&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21835205%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yanagawa Y, Suzuki M, Matsumoto M, Togashi H Abstract While interleukin (IL)-33, a novel member of the IL-1 family, seems to promote T helper type 2 (Th2)-associated inflammations and allergic diseases, the stimulating factors for IL-33 production are less well characterized. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) has been shown to suppress immune cell functions. However, the immune enhancement by this mediator is not well understood. In the present study, we examined the effect of PGE(2) on IL-33 production by dendritic cells (DCs). Bone marrow-derived DCs were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of PGE(2). LPS increased mRNA expression of the IL-1 family members, IL-1, IL-18, and IL-33 in DCs. PGE(2) alone showed slight effect on IL-1, IL-18, and IL-... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5141734 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5141734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5141733&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21835206%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim MS, Kim WS, Piao ZH, Yun S, Lee SH, Lee S, Jeong M, Sun HN, Park YJ, Jung H, Yoon SR, Choi I Abstract The IL-22 NKp46(+) innate lymphoid cells, NCR22 cells, are very important for the early host defense against microbial pathogens. We show here that NCR22 cells were differentiated from Lin(-)CD127(+)CD117(+) cells that were derived from hematopoietic precursor cells (HPCs) of mouse bone marrow cells. The combination of low concentrations of IL-23 and IL-15 induced differentiation of NCR22 cells from Lin(-)CD127(+)CD117(+) cells. NCR22 cells expressed a large amount of IL-22 and RORγt, and they had poor cytolytic activity and produced little IFN-γ. Lin(-)CD127(+)CD117(+) cells were very similar to intestinal lamina propria LTi-like cells; both cells dominantly express... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5141733 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5141733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5141732&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21839115%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Naik SR, Thakare VN, Desai SK, Rahalkar PR Abstract New polyene macrolide antibiotic SJA-95 in free as well as liposomal (lip.) forms, with and without interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was studied in mice model of aspergillosis using biological and biochemical parameters viz. colony forming units (CFU) in liver, spleen, kidney, lung and brain, and serum IgG, and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Treatment with free and lip SJA-95 along with IFN-γ prolonged the survival time, reduced CFU in vital organs, decreased serum IgG and IL-4 levels. SJA-95 lip form showed greater antifungal activity as compared to free form. The combined treatment of lip SJA-95 with IFN-γ showed further enhancement in antifungal activity of SJA-95 (lip). The present experimental findings demonstrated IFN-γ might act a... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5141732 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5141732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5105382&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21803073%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Crudele V, Picascia A, Infante T, Grimaldi V, Maiello C, Napoli C The clinical transplantation outcome is related to both effects of immunological and non immunological factors degenerating into hyperacute, acute and chronic rejection. Modern immunosuppressive treatments have resolved most events linked to acute rejection while long-term survival still remains the major problem after heart transplantation. The goal of personalized immunosuppressive therapy is to prevent rejection without inducing toxic effects. The aim of future studies could be to clarify the pathogenesis of chronic rejection and develop new and less toxic therapeutic approaches to induce "tolerance" to the graft without major side effects. PMID: 21803073 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immun... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5105382 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5105382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5105384&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21798286%26dopt%3DAbstract CONCLUSIONS: These data provide a cautionary note for the translating of observations in the mouse to human mast cell-dependent disorders, but may also provide a basis for examining the effects of co-activating receptors in patients susceptible to allergic conditions. PMID: 21798286 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5105384 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5105384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5105383&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21798287%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park YE, Woo YJ, Park SH, Moon YM, Oh HJ, Kim JI, Jin HS, Baek SH, Kim GT, Lee JH, Cho ML, Kim SI IL-17 plays important roles in synovial inflammation and bone destruction in the mouse model of autoimmune arthritis and in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Cadherin-11 determines the behavior of synovial cells in their proinflammatory and destructive tissue response in inflammatory arthritis, and promotes the invasive behavior of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of IL-17 on the expression of cadherin-11 in autoimmune experimental arthritis and in RA synovium. The severity of synovial inflammation and bone destruction were examined in IL-17-injected knee joints of mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Cadherin-11 expression wa... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5105383 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5105383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5105385&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21784102%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee HJ, Seo GY, Kim JH, Lee MR, Kim PH A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) is primarily expressed by macrophages and dendritic cells, and stimulates B cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and Ig production. In the present study, we investigated the role and signaling mechanisms of activin A in APRIL expression by mouse macrophages. Activin A markedly enhanced APRIL expression in mouse macrophages at both the transcriptional and protein levels. Overexpression of dominant-negative (DN)-Smad3 and SB431542 abrogated activin-induced APRIL transcription. Furthermore, activin A induced Smad3 phosphorylation. These results indicate that activin A enhances APRIL expression through both activin receptor-like kinase 4 (ALK4) and Smad3. In a subsequent analysis of activin A ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5105385 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5105385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5058458&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777618%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jonsson R, Vogelsang P, Volchenkov R, Espinosa A, Wahren-Herlenius M, Appel S In Sjögren's syndrome, like in most other autoimmune diseases, the enigma leading to a pathogenic attack against self has not yet been solved. By definition, the disease must be mediated by specific immune reactions against endogenous tissues to qualify as an autoimmune disease. In Sjögren's syndrome the autoimmune response is directed against the exocrine glands, which, as histopathological hallmark of the disease, display persistent and progressive focal mononuclear cell infiltrates. Clinically, the disease in most patients is manifested by two severe symptoms: dryness of the mouth (xerostomia) and the eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). A number of systemic features have also been described and t... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5058458 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5058458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5058460&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21762728%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bossi F, Peerschke EI, Ghebrehiwet B, Tedesco F The endothelium is a continuous physical barrier that regulates coagulation and selective passage of soluble molecules and circulating cells through the vessel wall into the tissue. Due to its anatomic localization, the endothelium may establish contact with components of the complement, the kinin and the coagulation systems which are the main, though not exclusive, inducers of vascular leakage. Although the complement and the kinin systems may act independently, increasing evidence suggest that there is a crosstalk that involve different components of both systems. Activation is required for the function of the two systems which are involved in pathological conditions such as hereditary and acquired angioedema (AE) and vasculiti... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5058460 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5058460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5058459&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21763349%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, this study suggests that APDs do indeed regulate the body's immune response and therefore all APDs should have their own patent in regulating immune responses. PMID: 21763349 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5058459 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5058459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5058463&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21756938%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhu YH, Gao YF, Chen F, Liu W, Zhai MX, Zhai WJ, Qi YM, Ye Y Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play an important role in the immunity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. In the present study, the identification of novel CTL epitopes from efflux pumps, Rv1258c and Rv1410c, was reported. Candidate native peptides and their analogues were predicted with prediction programs. Rv1410c-p510 (TLAPQVEPL) and Rv1410c-p510-1Y9V (YLAPQVEPV) showed potent binding affinity and stability towards HLA-A*0201 molecule. In enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay, the CTLs induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by these peptides could release interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in at least one healthy donor (HLA-A*02(+), PPD(+)). In cytotoxicity assay in vitro and in vivo, the CTLs i... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5058463 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5058463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5058462&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21756939%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Leitner J, Drobits K, Pickl WF, Majdic O, Zlabinger G, Steinberger P Immunosuppression is an important treatment modality in transplantation and human diseases that are associated with aberrant T cell activation. There are considerable differences regarding the cellular processes targeted by the immunosuppressive drugs that are in clinical use. Drugs like azathioprine (Aza) mainly act by halting proliferation of fast dividing cells, whereas others like cyclosporine A (CsA) specifically target signaling pathways in T cells. Since the outcome of T cell responses critically depends on the quality and strength of costimulatory signals, this study has addressed the interplay between costimulation and the immunosuppressive agents CsA and Aza during the in vitro activation of human T... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5058462 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5058462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5058461&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21756940%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Crivellato E, Nico B, Ribatti D Work on mast cells and basophils began with their identification by Paul Ehrlich at the end of the 19th century. Mast cells and basophils were immediately perceived as closely linked cells and early nomenclature formulated by Ehrlich himself, i.e., tissue "Mastzellen" and blood "Mastzellen", reflected this unifying viewpoint. With time, important functional affinities but also substantial diversities were recognized. This review article focuses on the historical development of the concept of mast cell/basophil specificity, from the initial identification of these cells to current studies. PMID: 21756940 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5058461 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5058461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5010352&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21723324%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xu S, Sun Z, Sun Y, Zhu J, Li X, Zhang X, Shan G, Wang Z, Liu H, Wu X CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) have recently been the subject of intense research due to their strong immunosuppressive effect. Increasing evidence suggests that IL-15 plays an important role in Tregs biology. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which IL-15 performs this function remains to be fully elucidated. To address this question, we isolated Tregs from human peripheral blood, and utilized IL-15, dendritic cells (DCs), or DCs combined with IL-15, to examine the proliferation of Tregs and to explore related molecular mechanisms. Here, we show that IL-15 can induce the proliferation of Tregs in the presence of DCs. The induction is mediated by DCs presenting IL-15 in trans to Tregs. Simultaneously, ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5010352 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5010352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5010353&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21722668%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li J, Hu M, Guo J, Su Z, Wei Q Protective immunity involves a dynamic balance between humoral and cellular immune responses. In the present work we demonstrated that recombinant human calcineurin subunit B (rhCnB) stimulated the expression of the surface molecules CD83, CD80, CD86, CD40, and HLA-DR. It also promoted secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β by human PBMC-derived dendritic cells. In in vivo experiments, splenocytes from BALB/c mice immunized with pneumolysin plus rhCnB contained a higher percentage of CD3(+)CD4(+) T lymphocytes, produced more antigen-specific splenocyte proliferation activity, and had higher anti-pneumolysin immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers. Transcript levels of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ in the splenocytes were a... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5010353 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5010353 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5010355&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21704078%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Peaudecerf L, Rocha B The TCR-αβ/γδ CD8αα intraepithelial T lymphocytes (T-IEL) located in the gut mucosa of the small intestine are an abundant population believed to have a major role in ensuring the integrity of the gut wall. Here, we describe their unique characteristics and the controversies regarding the origin and differentiation of these T-IELs. We show how accumulated experimental evidence has finally arrived at a unifying concept, which demonstrates that these cells originate from early thymus precursors that have not yet undergone TCR rearrangement and TCR-αβ/γδ commitment. These precursors colonize the gut lamina propria during the perinatal period and complete rearrangements and TCR-αβ/γδ commitment while migrating to the epithelium. Therefore, the g... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5010355 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5010355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5010356&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21699917%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, IgG avidity assays may distinguish active infection with Strongyloides stercoralis from suspect or serologically false positive cases. PMID: 21699917 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5010356 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5010356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5010354&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21704079%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we innovated application of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM)/quantum dots (QDs)-based nanotechnology through three-dimensional image fusion algorithm to merge the simultaneously obtained dual-color fluorescence information and three-dimensional topography. This novel imaging system made it possible to visualize nano-spatial distribution and organization of early-activation molecules CD69 and late-activation molecules CD71 on cell-membrane fluctuations during T-cell activation. Interestingly, most CD69 molecules were clustered to form 250-500nm nano-domains polarizing predominantly in the peak of the cell-membrane fluctuations. In contrast, although CD71 molecules were also clustered as 250-500nm nano-domains, they polarized dominantly in the valley of the cell-m... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5010354 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5010354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4962836&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21683737%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the involvement of liprin-α, another active zone protein, in exocytosis in mast cells. We found that three isoforms of liprin-α, liprin-α1, -α2 and -α3 were expressed. Immunocytochemical experiments revealed that liprin-α1 resided both in the cytoplasm and on the plasma membrane. Upon stimulation with antigen, the area of a cell increased remarkably due to cell spreading and the distribution of liprin-α1 became punctuated. Interestingly, knockdown of liprin-α1 caused decrease in exocytotic release and cell spreading. These results suggest that liprin-α1 facilitates exocytosis and cell spreading, and these events might have correlated each other in mast cells. PMID: 21683737 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4962836 Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4962836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4962835&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21684306%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: González DA, León AC, Varela AR, García MG, Rahola MD, Pérez MD, Hernández AG, Falcón MJ, Díaz BB Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are determined, among other reasons, to identify samples which need a second test to detect the associated specificities. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical and economic impact generated by using an initial dilution for ANA of 1:160. We analyzed all samples for which ANA, anti-ENA and anti-dsDNA were requested over a 1-year period. ANA were detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Anti-ENA were analyzed with a combination of techniques. Anti-dsDNA were detected by radioimmunoassay. Cost analysis was performed by calculating the difference between two cut-offs (ANA 1:40 and 1:160). A total of 13,233 samples were processed for ANA, of which 59.9... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4962835 Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4962835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4962834&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21693134%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Uto T, Akagi T, Toyama M, Nishi Y, Shima F, Akashi M, Baba M Biodegradable poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) nanoparticles (NPs) are considered to be an excellent antigen carrier. Antigen-carrying γ-PGA NPs were examined for their uptake by murine dendritic cells (DCs) and subsequent induction of antigen-specific immune responses in mice and compared with aluminum (AL) adjuvants. Ovalbumin (OVA)-carrying NPs (FITC-OVA-NPs) were taken up much more efficiently by DCs than OVA alone or its AL-associated form. Both OVA-NPs and OVA+AL were detected in an intracellular lysosome compartment of DCs. Furthermore, the uptake of γ-PGA NPs was inhibited in the presence of pinocytosis and phagocytosis inhibitors. Significantly higher induction of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells was observe... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4962834 Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4962834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4962837&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21669226%26dopt%3DAbstract This study aimed at investigating the possible role of IL-10 and IFN-γ on lung function deterioration in allergic children. Forty children with mild asthma, monosensitized to house dust mites, were evaluated and followed-up for 2 years. Spirometry was performed in all children. IL-10 and IFN-γ were evaluated in in vitro experiments. FEV(1), FVC, and FEF(25-75), evaluated as percent of predicted, significantly diminished over time (p<0.0001, p=0.03, and p<0.0001 respectively). There was a strong relationship between changes in spirometric parameters and IL-10 production and between changes in FEV(1) values and IFN-γ production over time. This preliminary study provided evidence that IL-10 and IFN-γ production could be defective in allergic children prone to develop functional impa... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4962837 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4962837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4962838&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21664378%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Singh Y, Dyson J, Garden OA The green fluorescent dye carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) has been used to track the proliferation of T cells in vitro. Such assays often incorporate more than one population of cells, but the paucity of alternative, spectrally distinct dyes suitable for measuring proliferation has hampered the simultaneous tracking of multiple cell populations; furthermore, CFSE is not compatible with green fluorescent protein (GFP), used to identify T cells in various transgenic mice. We have therefore validated the use of the far red dye seminaphthorhodafluor-1 (SNARF)-1 - originally developed to measure intracellular pH - to track murine T cell proliferation in vitro, demonstrating its ability to distinguish multiple cycles of proliferatio... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4962838 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4962838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4962839&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21658414%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mohd-Yusuf Y, Phipps ME, Chow SK, Yeap SS We investigated the association of the HLA genes in Malaysian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their associations with the clinical manifestations in 160 SLE patients (99 Chinese and 61 Malays) and 107 healthy control individuals (58 Chinese and 49 Malays) were studied. Sequence specific primer amplification (PCR-SSP) phototyping techniques were used to analyse 25 HLA-A allele groups, 31 HLA-DR allele groups and 9 HLA-DQ allele groups. Appreciable increases in allele frequencies of HLA-A*11, DRB1*0701, DRB1*1601-1606, DRB5*01-02 and DQB1*05, and decrease in HLA-DRB1*1101-1121, 1411, DRB1*1201-3, DRB1*1301-22, DRB3*0101, 0201, 0202, 0203, 0301 and DQB1*0301, 1304 in SLE patients compared with healthy control individu... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4962839 Sun, 29 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4962839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4915523&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21645546%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we isolated Schisandrin from the dried fruits of Schisandra chinensis and examined the anti-inflammatory effect of Schisandrion in macrophages stimulated with LPS from P. gingivalis. First, Schisandrin inhibited LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. And Schisandrin suppressed the nuclear translocation and activity of NF-κB and phosphorylation of IκBα in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Next, the presence of a selective inhibitor of HO-1 (SnPP) and a siRNA specific for HO-1 inhibited Schisandrin-mediated anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, Schisandrin induced HO-1 expression of RAW 264.7 cells through Nrf-2, PI3K/Akt, and ERK activation. Therefore, these results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of Schisandrin on P. gingiv... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4915523 Sun, 29 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4915523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4915524&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21641935%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Taflin C, Charron D, Glotz D, Mooney N In organ transplantation, development of immunosuppressive treatment and improved diagnosis of allograft rejection has resulted in increased allograft survival in recent years. Nevertheless, rejection remains a major cause of graft loss and a better understanding of the characteristics of the allo-immune response is required to identify new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The allogeneic immune response depends upon a major family of antigenic targets: the Major Histocompatibility Complex molecules (MHC) which are present on donor cells. These molecules are targets of both the humoral and cellular arms of the graft recipient's immune system: T lymphocytes which are implicated in acute cellular rejection and antibodies which are implicate... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4915524 Thu, 26 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4915524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4915522&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21645547%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, IC immunization induced more effective immune responses to protect the CNS from PRV infection by attracting ASCs into the CNS and inducing much more PRV-specific serum neutralizing Abs. This approach may have important implications as a novel treatment procedure for neurotropic virus infections in both humans and animals. PMID: 21645547 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4915522 Thu, 26 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4915522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4915526&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21621552%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wong CP, Nguyen LP, Noh SK, Bray TM, Bruno RS, Ho E Regulatory T cells (Treg) are critical in maintaining immune tolerance and suppressing autoimmunity. The transcription factor Foxp3 serves as a master switch that controls the development and function of Treg. Foxp3 expression is epigenetically regulated by DNA methylation, and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors can induce Foxp3 expression in naive CD4(+) T cells. We showed that EGCG, a major green tea polyphenol, could act as a dietary DNMT inhibitor, and induced Foxp3 and IL-10 expression in CD4(+) Jurkat T cells at physiologically relevant concentrations in vitro. We further showed that mice treated with EGCG in vivo had significantly increased Treg frequencies and numbers in spleen and lymph nodes and had inhibited T... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4915526 Thu, 19 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4915526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4915525&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21621553%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wolkers MC, Bensinger SJ, Green DR, Schoenberger SP, Janssen EM CD8(+) T cells primed in the absence of CD4(+) T cell help are programmed to produce TRAIL, which results in Death receptor (DR5) mediated apoptosis upon restimulation. Here, we studied whether these 'helpless' effector CD8(+) T cells are consigned to an apoptotic fate or whether their helpless program can be altered by inflammatory or growth cytokines. We found that helpless CD8(+) T cells regained their full proliferative and functional capacity only when IL-2 was added to cell cultures, while IL-7 and IL-15, two common gamma chain cytokines associated with CD8(+) T cell homeostasis and memory, could only partly restore secondary expansion in helpless CD8(+) T cells. Recovery of functional CD8(+) T cell immunity... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4915525 Thu, 19 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4915525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4915529&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21620893%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was undertaken to explore the signaling molecules essential for osteoclastogenesis mediated by IL-15 in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. Expression of phospholipase D1 (PLD1) and osteoclast-related gene expression in synovial tissues and their modulation by treatment with IL-15 and different inhibitors in synovial fibroblasts of RA patients were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The levels of IL-15 in serum and synovial fluid were measured by ELISA. The effects of IL-15 and phosphatidic acid (PA) on osteoclast formation were evaluated in cocultures of rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts and peripheral blood monocytes or monocytes alone in the presence of M-CSF and RANKL. The levels of RANKL and PLD1 but not PLD2 were upregulated signifi... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4915529 Wed, 18 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4915529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4915527&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21620895%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Amaro I, Riaño-Umbarila L, Becerril B, Possani LD Scorpion stings are a common event that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, being a public health problem in certain countries. In most places, medical treatment relays on antivenoms obtained from the sera of hyper-immunized horses, however some efforts are being made to prepare specific antibodies of human origin, using phage display methodology. This communication describes the strategy followed for obtaining a protective human single chain antibody (scFv) capable of partially neutralizing the effect of Ts1, the major toxin isolated from the venom of the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus. Phage display technique allowed the isolation of scFv 15e from a human library of antibodies, after four rounds of s... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4915527 Wed, 18 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4915527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4915528&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21620894%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, the expression of CTLA-4 in CD4(+) helper T-cells was low in patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes. PMID: 21620894 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4915528 Mon, 16 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4915528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4866522&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21600927%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mansur IG, Schiavon V, Giustiniani J, Bagot M, Bensussan A, Marie-Cardine A IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) is the second subunit required to form a functional receptor complex for IL-1α and β, IL-1F6, IL-1F8, IL1-F9 and IL-33. While it does not directly interact with the cytokines, IL-1RAcP is necessary to mediate signal transduction. We previously reported a monoclonal antibody with an unknown specificity, termed AY19, that was capable to induce a significant increase in the size of CFU-GM colonies when added to cultures of human cord blood CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitors. Here we demonstrate that AY19 mAb recognizes IL1-RAcP. We show that this adaptor molecule is significantly present on peripheral blood monocytes and lymphocytes including CD4(+) and CD8(+) T... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4866522 Tue, 10 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4866522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4866521&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21600928%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Seifarth C, Littmann L, Resheq Y, Rössner S, Goldwich A, Pangratz N, Kerek F, Steinkasserer A, Zinser E There is still a vital need for new therapies in order to prevent or treat type I diabetes. In this respect, we report that MCS-18 a novel natural product isolated from the plant Helleborus purpurascens (i.e. Christmas rose) is able to increase diabetes free survival using the NOD-mouse model, which is accompanied with a diminished IFN-γ secretion of splenocytes. In the animal group which has been treated with MCS-18 during week 8 and week 12 of age 70% of the animals showed a diabetes free survival at week 30, whereas in contrast in the untreated animals less than 10% were free of diabetes. MCS-18 treatment significantly reduced islet T-cell infiltrates as well as the rat... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4866521 Tue, 10 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4866521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4866523&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21596063%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tseng WW, Leong SP PMID: 21596063 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4866523 Sat, 07 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4866523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4866524&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21565221%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sillé FC, Martin C, Jayaraman P, Rothchild A, Besra GS, Behar SM, Boes M The development and maturation of Vα14 invariant (i)NKT cells in mice requires CD1d-mediated lipid antigen presentation in the thymus and the periphery. Cortical thymocytes mediate positive selection, while professional APCs are involved in thymic negative selection and in terminal maturation of iNKT cells in the periphery. CD1d requires entry in the endosomal pathway to allow antigen acquisition for assembly as lipid/CD1d complexes for display to iNKT cells. This process involves tyrosine-based sorting motifs in the CD1d cytoplasmic tail and invariant chain (Ii) that CD1d associates with in the endoplasmic reticulum. The function of Ii in iNKT cell thymic development and peripheral maturation had not b... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4866524 Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4866524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4815392&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21554901%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Heine H Charles Janeway first wrote 1989 about how important recognition of "certain characteristics or patterns common on infectious agents but absent from the host" would be for our immune response [1]. Surprisingly, it almost took 10 years before his ideas would lead to the revolutionary findings that fundamentally changed the view of the innate immune system over the past decade. Recognition of invading microorganisms belongs to the primary tasks of the innate immune system and is achieved through different families of innate immune sensors. Among these, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing receptors (NLRs) and Rig-I-like receptors (RLRs) have drawn major interests over the last decade. These receptor families are targete... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4815392 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4815392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653718&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21421009%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yu M, Goodsell A, Zhou F, Vajdy M To determine whether long-term immunological B cell memory following mucosal vaccinations is maintained by terminally differentiated Ig-CD45R- plasma cells or Ig+CD45R+ B cells, we immunized mice orally with the non-toxic B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB) as a carrier protein haptenated with FITC (CTB-FITC) plus CT adjuvant. We found that the adoptive transfer of Ig+CD45R+ but not the Ig-CD45R- cells, resulted in higher numbers of FITC-specific IgA-secreting cells in the intestine as well as higher anti-FITC serum IgA titers, suggesting that long term B cell immunological memory following oral vaccinations preferentially resided within the Ig+CD45R+ B cell population. PMID: 21421009 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Le... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653718 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4653718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653719&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21420434%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sarang Z, Köröskényi K, Pallai A, Duró E, Melino G, Griffin M, Fésüs L, Szondy Z Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a protein crosslinking enzyme with several additional biochemical functions. Loss of TG2 in vivo results in impaired phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and altered proinflammatory cytokine production by macrophages engulfing apoptotic cells leading to autoimmunity. It has been proposed that TG2 acts as an integrin β(3) coreceptor in the engulfment process, while altered proinflammatory cytokine production is related to the lack of latent TGFβ activation by TG2 null macrophages. Here we report that TG2 null macrophages respond to lipopolysaccharide treatment by elevated IL-6 and TNFα production. Though TGFβ has been proposed to act as a feed back regulator of proi... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653719 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4653719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653720&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21419798%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Patakas A, Platt AM, Butcher JP, Maffia P, McInnes IB, Brewer JM, Garside P, Benson RA The evolution of the immune system to combat infectious disease is inextricably linked to the concomitant risk of autoimmunity. Central to the immune response in both scenarios is T cell-dependent antibody production. Thus, understanding the fundamentals of this process has important applications in both infectious and autoimmune or inflammatory disease. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to Tfh cells in this process both in terms of how they are generated and what role they play in antibody responses via their transit into the B cell follicle. However, there has been relatively little focus on what this mobilization to the follicle does for the Tfh cell. Thus in this article we ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653720 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4653720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591487&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21392534%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chuang YP, Lin YC, Sytwu HK Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder resulting from lymphocyte-mediated destruction of insulin-producing β cells in pancreas. Natural killer T cells are regulatory immune components controlling autoreactivity and immune homeostasis. Although early studies supported that amelioration of autoimmune diabetes by natural killer T cells was associated with Th1/2 shift, other Th2-independent regulatory mechanisms were also suggested. Since natural killer T cells are critical for the generation of CD8(+) regulatory T cells controlling anterior chamber-associated immune deviation and CD8(+) regulatory T cells also participate in suppression of immune responses like experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, we investigate whether the similar suppressiv... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591487 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591488&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21382417%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Luyckx A, De Somer L, Jacobs S, Rutgeerts O, Lenaerts C, Roobrouck VD, Verfaillie CM, Waer M, Van Gool SW, Billiau AD Multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC) are clinically being explored as an alternative to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for the immunomodulatory control of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Here, we performed an explorative study of the immunomodulatory potential of mouse MAPC (mMAPC), in comparison with that of MSC (mMSC) using experimental models of T-cell alloreactivity. Suppressive effects of Oct4-expressing mMAPC have been described previously; here, we studied mMAPC expressing low to no Oct4 ('mClone-3'), recently shown to be most representative for the human MAPC counterpart. mClone-3 and mMSC exhibited similar immunophenotype and in vitro immunogenic ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591488 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591489&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21354208%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report, we investigated whether oxygen tension could affect NK cell differentiation from hematopoietic cells in vitro. We found that hypoxia led to an inhibition of differentiation in NK cells, and increased oxygen supply alleviated this inhibition and restored NK cell differentiation under hypoxic condition. Hypoxia-treated cells demonstrated reduced mRNA expression of transcription factors (TFs) that have important roles in NK cell differentiation, such as EOMES, T-bet, GATA-3 and ETS-1. Moreover, hypoxia-pretreated cells recovered mRNA expression of TFs when the oxygen tension was changed to normoxia. Our findings suggest that oxygen tension modulates in vitro differentiation of NK cells through the regulation of TF expression. PMID: 21354208 [PubMed - as supplied by publish... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591489 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591490&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21352854%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Salem ML Traditionally, expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) has been associated with innate immune cells in particular professional antigen presenting cells and natural killer cells. This led to the concept that the adjuvant effects of ligation of TLR in a host occur mainly in innate immune cells. However, this concept has been challenged by recent studies including ours demonstrating that T cells express appreciated levels of different TLRs, which can serve as costimulatory co-receptors during polyclonal and antigen-specific stimulation of T cells. Because T cells express low levels of TLRs as compared to innate immune cells, increasing the expression levels of TLRs in T cells can significantly maximize their responses to the costimulatory effects of TLR ligation. This r... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591490 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591492&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21338623%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kohara H, Kitaura H, Fujimura Y, Yoshimatsu M, Morita Y, Eguchi T, Masuyama R, Yoshida N Cytokines secreted by T cells play a pivotal role in inflammatory bone destruction. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a major proinflammatory cytokine produced by macrophages following T cell activation, and directly promotes osteoclast differentiation resulting in accelerated bone resorption. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) attenuates RANKL-initiated cellular signals through osteoclast formation and counterbalances aberrant bone resorption. With respect to this crosstalk during osteoclastogenesis, the direct interruption of IFN-γ in TNF-α-induced osteoclast formation still requires elucidation. We have demonstrated that IFN-γ directly inhibits osteoclastogenesis induced by TNF-α stimulation... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591492 Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591491&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21338624%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schneider Z, Cervenak J, Baranyi M, Papp K, Prechl J, László G, Erdei A, Kacskovics I The overexpression of the bovine neonatal Fc receptor (bFcRn) in transgenic (Tg) mice boosts humoral immune response with increased numbers of antigen-specific spleen cells and a potent humoral immune response against weakly immunogenic targets. One of the interesting questions surrounding this enhanced immune response is whether these Tg mice generate higher number of antigen-specific hybridomas. To address this question, we immunized these Tg mice and wild type (wt) controls with trinitrophenylated proteins, generated hybridomas and analyzed their numbers and specificities. We observed that Tg mice generated a 3-5 fold increase in antigen-specific IgG titers and had significantly larger s... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591491 Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591493&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21334382%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Leclerc M, Dupont S, Ortega-Martinez O, Hernroth B, Krezdorn N, Rotter B PMID: 21334382 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591493 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591505&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333676%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ward SG, Westwick J, Harris S PMID: 21333676 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591505 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591504&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333677%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sixt M PMID: 21333677 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591504 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591503&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333678%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Samsom JN, Marieke van Ham S, Toes RE, Bos NA, Damoiseaux J, van Baarle D, van de Loosdrecht AA, Nolte MA PMID: 21333678 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591503 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591502&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333679%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Knol EF, Olszewski M Mast cells and basophilic granulocytes have recently been recognized as potent immunomodulatory cells. Whereas these cells originally were described as potent cells that release their pro-inflammatory contents (i.e. histamine) unconstrained after activation, nowadays this process is considered to be much more subtle. Especially, via the release of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines basophils and mast cells now can steer an immune response. Recently, it has become evident that at least in murine models basophils are crucial for the initial induction of a Th2 response in immunologically naive mouse. PMID: 21333679 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591502 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591501&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333680%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Carosella ED PMID: 21333680 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591501 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591500&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333681%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Buckley CD One of the most important but as yet unanswered questions in inflammation research is not why inflammation occurs (we all get episodes of self limiting inflammation during the course of our lives) but why it does not resolve. Current models of inflammation stress the role of antigen-specific lymphocyte responses and attempt to address the causative agent. However, recent studies have begun to challenge the primacy of the leukocyte and have instead focused on an extended immune system in which stromal cells, such as fibroblasts play a role in the persistence of the inflammatory lesion. In this review I will illustrate how fibroblasts help regulate the switch from acute resolving to chronic persistent inflammation and provide positional memory during inflammatory resp... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591500 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591499&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333682%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Weigelin B, Krause M, Friedl P Immunological control of cancer lesions requires local uptake of tumor-specific antigen followed by the activation and expansion of tumor specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). An efficient effector phase further depends upon the entry of activated CTL into the tumor microenvironment and scanning of tumor tissue, which leads to direct interaction of the CTL with target cells followed by apoptosis induction and shrinkage of the tumor lesion [1,2]. Whereas the antigens and pathways that lead to efficient activation of tumor-specific CTL are well established, the local mechanisms that enable efficient - or deficient - CTL function in the tumor tissue are poorly understood. Firstly, effector T lymphocytes need to be mobile to reach the tumor lesion.... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591499 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591498&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333683%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Luther SA It is within the T cell rich zone of secondary lymphoid organs (SLO) that dendritic cells (DC) present the captured pathogens to recirculating T cells in order to activate the rare antigen-specific T cells. While we have made considerable progress in understanding the biology of mobile hematopoietic cells found within SLO, notably DC and lymphocytes, we still have a lot to learn about the sessile stromal cells. This review is focused on the recent progress made in our understanding of the fibroblastic reticular stromal cells that form the 'niches' within the T zone. PMID: 21333683 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591498 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591497&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333684%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Trouw LA, Daha MR PMID: 21333684 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591497 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591496&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333685%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bos NA, Salzman N PMID: 21333685 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591496 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591495&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333686%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cupedo T In the developing human fetus, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches are formed during the first and second trimester of pregnancy. The cells responsible for this process, lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells, share a number of characteristics with Natural Killer (NK) cells and produce cytokines related to inflammation. Here I will discuss recent advances in our understanding of human lymph node development, in particular the characterization of LTi cells and the relationship of these innate lymphocytes to conventional NK cells. PMID: 21333686 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591495 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591494&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21333687%26dopt%3DAbstract The thymus: "Interactive teaching during lymphopoiesis" Immunol Lett. 2011 Feb 17; Authors: van Ewijk W PMID: 21333687 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591494 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591509&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21324340%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dolimbek BZ, Aoki KR, Atassi MZ Recently, we determined the molecular locations on BoNT/A of the antigenic regions recognized by blocking Abs of cervical dystonia patients immunoresistant to BoNT/A treatment. In the present work we tested the possibility of reducing the levels of the Ab response against immunodominant antigenic sites on the heavy chain of BoNT/A in order to diminish immunoresistance caused by blocking Abs. Four antigenic regions on BoNT/A represented by peptides N8 (residues 547-565), N25 (785-803), C15 (1051-1069) and C31 (1275-1296) were tested for suppressing Ab responses against the correlate regions. The conjugates were synthesized with monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) attached to the peptide N-termini. Tolerization with a given mPEG-peptide reduced ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591509 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591508&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21324341%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Le Bouteiller P, Tabiasco J, Polgar B, Kozma N, Giustiniani J, Siewiera J, Berrebi A, Aguerre-Girr M, Bensussan A, Jabrane-Ferrat N Here we discuss CD160 an essential NK cell activating receptor that remains poorly understood. CD160 receptor exhibits a number of unique structural and functional characteristics that are not common to other killer immunoglobulin-like receptors that recognize major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules: (1) In addition to humans and mice, the cd160 gene is conserved in several other mammal species; (2) cd160 is located outside the NK gene complex and the Leukocyte Receptor Complex in humans; (3) CD160 expression is associated to the CD56(dim) CD16(+) cytotoxic NK cell phenotype; (4) both human and mouse CD160 recognize MHC class Ia a... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591508 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591507&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21324342%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kracker S, Durandy A Antibody maturation leads to the formation of B cell receptors (BCRs) with high affinity for antigen and the production of different Ig isotypes. The different antibody isotypes vary in activities (half-life, binding to Fc receptors, ability to activate the complement system) and tissue localization and thus are necessary for an optimal humoral response against pathogens. The molecular mechanism responsible for exchanging the Ig isotypes (IgM to IgG, IgA, or IgE) and at the same time retaining the antigen specificity and affinity is called Ig class switch recombination (CSR). In this review we discuss the molecular mechanism of CSR, with special focus on the enzyme activation induced cytidine deaminase (AID). PMID: 21324342 [PubMed - as supplied by pub... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591507 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591506&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21324343%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Miranda A, de León J, Roque-Navarro L, Fernández LE Gangliosides are considered relevant components of lipid rafts at the plasma membrane. Antigen encounter, immunological synapse assembly and signal transduction modify lipid raft composition and distribution on immune system cells. On the contrary of other gangliosides, differential expression of the N-glycolylated variant of GM3 (NGcGM3) on murine leukocytes has received limited attention. In particular, whether cell activation modulates the expression of NGcGM3 on lymphoid and myeloid cells is still unexplored. Availability of the NGcGM3 specific 14F7 MAb allows us to characterize by cytofluorimetric assays the presence of this molecule on resting and activated immune system cells. On T cells, preferential expression of N... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591506 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4591506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477488&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21300106%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Prados MB, La Blunda J, Szekeres-Bartho J, Caramelo J, Miranda S The presence of additional N-glycans in the Fab region of IgG has shown to dramatically modify the properties and functionality of these molecules including changes in antibody affinity and stability. However, the underlying molecular mechanism responsible for the presence or absence of these glycans remains unknown. Polypeptide N-linked glycosylation is catalyzed in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum by the oligosaccharyltransferase complex. Mammalian cells can express two isoforms of the oligosaccharyltransferase catalytic subunit (STT3-A and STT3-B), which are endowed with distinct enzymatic properties. In this work we employed a murine hybridoma cell culture to study whether the expression of STT3 isoform... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477488 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4477488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477489&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21281677%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xie C, Ng H, Nagarajan S OxLDL binding to CD36 is shown to result in macrophage activation and foam cell formation that have been implicated in atherosclerosis. However, CD36 has also been shown to induce inflammatory response to other ligands besides oxLDL. During the course of blocking CD36 oxLDL binding function using anti CD36 antibodies, we have identified a novel domain of CD36 that triggers inflammatory response-independent of oxLDL binding. OxLDL bound to the mouse reporter cell line RAW-Blue induced TNF-α and RANTES mRNA and protein expression. Pretreatment of RAW-Blue cells with an anti-mCD36 mAb, JC63.1, an activating mCD36 mAb, surprisingly did not inhibit oxLDL-induced response. Further, binding of this antibody to CD36 alone induced a pro-inflammatory cytokine r... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477489 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4477489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477495&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21277328%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kretschmer B, Kühl S, Fleischer B, Breloer M The conserved transmembrane glycoprotein CD83 was originally described as highly specific marker for mature dendritic cells in the peripheral circulation. Besides its regulatory role in thymic T cell maturation and peripheral T cell activation, recent studies suggest, that CD83 is also involved in the regulation of B cell maturation, homeostasis and function. Here we show, that antigen-specific T cell stimulation leads to CD83 induction predominantly on B cells. In vivo activation of T cells by injection of cognate antigenic peptide into T cell receptor transgenic mice induced strong expression of the early activation marker CD69 but only low levels of surface CD83 on T cells. In contrast CD83 was induced on 80% of B cells in the d... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477495 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4477495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477494&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21277898%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Libregts S, van Olffen RW, van der Sluijs KF, van Lier RA, Nolte MA Differentiation of naïve CD4(+) T cells to functional effector T-helper (T(H)) cells is driven by both costimulatory molecules and cytokines. Although polarizing cytokines can induce the differentiation into a particular T(H)-subset, certain costimulatory molecules also seem to affect this polarization process. We have previously found that CD70-transgenic (CD70TG) mice develop large numbers of IFN-γ-producing CD4(+) T cells and we therefore questioned whether CD27 triggering provides an instructive signal for T(H)1 differentiation or rather supports T(H) cell formation in general. Although CD70TG mice on a T(H)1-prone C57Bl/6J background develop more T(H)1 cells, we found that this phenotype is lost when CD... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477494 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4477494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477493&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21277899%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Muscolini M, Sajeva A, Caristi S, Tuosto L CD28 costimulatory molecule plays a critical role in the activation of NF-κB. Indeed, while stimulation of T cells with either professional APCs or anti-TCR plus anti-CD28 antibodies efficiently activates NF-κB, TCR alone fails to do that. Moreover, CD28 stimulation by B7 in the absence of TCR may activate IκB kinase α (IKKα) and a non-canonical NF-κB2-like pathway, in human primary CD4(+) T cells. Despite its functional relevance in NF-κB activation, the molecules connecting autonomous CD28-mediated signals to IKKα and NF-κB activation remain still unknown. In searching for specific upstream activators linking CD28 to the IKKα/NF-κB cascade, we identify a novel constitutive association between filamin A (FLNa) and the NF-�... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477493 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4477493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477492&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21277900%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we constructed a lentiviral vector carrying CD28 shRNA and generated genetically engineered splenocytes through transduction in a murine allogeneic bone marrow transplantation model. The survival and the occurrence of GVHD in transplanted mice were monitored every day. Liver, intestine, skin, and other tissues from the mice in each group were used for histological examination. We also determined plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Recipient bone marrow from mice that had survived for an extended period was examined to detect chimerism. We succeeded in suppressing the expression of CD28 gene and controlling mouse GVHD following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in the engineered spleen cell group. These su... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477492 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4477492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477491&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21277901%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Choi HJ, Song SY, Yoon JB, Liu LK, Kim K, Cha SH The development of human antibodies specific for certain B cell markers is required to generate therapeutic antibody leads with improved therapeutic indices against B-cell lymphomas. To meet this demand, we selected a primary human antibody library, HuDVFab-8L, against human B lymphoblastic IM-9 cells via a 'Biopanning and Rapid Analysis of Selective Interactive Ligands (BRASIL)' cell panning approach. Six Fab clones that specifically bound to IM-9 cells were successfully isolated. Among these clones, two clones (IM-L6-E and IM-L8-G), were found to be specific for CD23 (FcɛRII). Affinity maturation of these Fab clones was then performed in a hierarchical manner by constructing secondary antibody libraries through combining heav... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477491 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4477491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477490&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21277902%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we observed that EBV infection increased expression of IDO on B cells. To evaluate the function of IDO associated with EBV infection, we investigated whether EBV-induced IDO could modulate expression of NK cell-activation receptor, NKG2D. When NK cells were co-incubated with EBV transformed B cells, surface expression of NKG2D was significantly reduced in NK cells. Incubation with L-kynurenine, an IDO metabolite, down-modulated NKG2D expression in NK cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Incubation with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 also inhibited NKG2D expression in NK cells. In addition, we observed that the effect of L-kynurenine was blocked by JNK agonist, anisomycin, suggesting the involvement of the JNK pathway in the signal transduction of L-kynurenine-reduced NKG2... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477490 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4477490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412470&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21262263%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Trowsdale J Given large sample sizes, whole genome screens are now able to identify even quite modest contributions of common human genetic variation to disease. These approaches, made possible by the development of high-throughput, dense SNP genotyping, find few associations stronger than those for the human MHC, in multigenic autoimmune conditions. They confirm earlier findings that the major variants affecting susceptibility and resistance to autoimmunity relate to MHC class I and class II genes. It is generally assumed, although there are few good examples, that selection for resistance to infection drives evolution of MHC variation. Many MHC-associated diseases may be the price paid for an effective immune response. Interestingly, the MHC appears to influence susceptibili... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412470 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412475&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21256158%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the effect of heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus La205 (La205) on NK cytolytic activity. We found that heat-killed La205 directly stimulated NK cytolytic activity in dose- and time-dependent manners. To determine the mechanism underlying heat-killed La205-enhanced NK cytotoxicity, the expression of NK activating receptors was tested. Heat-killed La205 did not affect the expression of NK activating receptors. To investigate whether NK degranulation is related to heat-killed La205-enhanced NK cytotoxicity, NK degranulation inhibitor concanamycin A (CMA) was used. CMA effectively blocked heat-killed La205-induced NK cytotoxicity, and an assay for detection of a degranulation marker, CD107a, showed that heat-killed La205 increased granule exocytosis approximat... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412475 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412474&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21256159%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Noguchi D, Wakita D, Ohkuri T, Tajima M, Chamoto K, Kitamura H, Nishimura T Graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) is considered as a problem in hematopoietic cell transplantation. We found that CD45RB(high) CD62L(+) naïve CD4(+) T cells from wild-type B10D2 (H-2d MMTV6(-)) mice immediately differentiated into effector T cells producing high-levels of various cytokines after the transfer into BALB/c RAG2(-/-) (H-2d MMTV6(+)) mice. The expanded CD4(+) T cells, which have almost TCR Vβ3 chain, recognized the minor antigen of recipient mice and brought typical severe GVHR symptoms such as eyelid irritation, diarrhea, and liver failure. Eventually, all of the recipient mice transferred CD4(+) T cells was dead within 10 days. We demonstrated here that blockade of IL-6 signaling by adm... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412474 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412474 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412473&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21256160%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park SY, Lee SW, Baek SH, Lee SJ, Lee WS, Rhim BY, Hong KW, Kim CD The effects of cilostazol on stimulating heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression including signal pathways and suppression of inflammatory cytokines and molecules, were studied. Cilostazol stimulation time (1-8hours)- and concentration (1-30μM)-dependently increased the HO-1 mRNA and protein expression associated with increased HO-1 activity, as did cobalt protoporphyrin IX (1-3μM) in J774A.1 macrophages. In addition, cilostazol (1-30μM) concentration-dependently reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated nitrite and TNF-α production, in accordance with the inhibition of LPS-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression in the J774 macrophages, as did CoPP (1μM).... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412473 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412472&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21256161%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jones JM, Bhattacharyya A, Simkus C, Vallieres B, Veenstra TD, Zhou M Histone variant H3.3 is associated with transcriptionally active chromatin and accumulates at loci undergoing preparation for V(D)J recombination, a DNA rearrangement required for the assembly of antigen receptors and development of B and T lymphocytes. Here we demonstrate that the RAG1 V(D)J recombinase protein promotes ubiquitylation of H3.3 that has been heavily acetylated and phosphorylated on serine 31 (acetyl-H3.3 S31p). A fragment of RAG1 promoted formation of a mono-ubiquitylated H3 product that was identified using mass spectrometry as ubiquitylated acetyl-H3.3 S31p. H3 was ubiquitylated at multiple lysine residues, and correspondingly, di-, tri- and higher-order ubiquitylated products were detected... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412472 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412471&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21256162%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nishida E, Chen C, Morita A, Shimizu J We are trying to develop new Abs that can manipulate CD4 T cell responses and are usable as immunosuppressive agents. To this end, we performed functional screening, in which we examined the effect of an Ab on the proliferation of mouse CD4 T cells upon activation. The Ab, LP5, inhibited the activation of CD4 T cells stimulated with an anti-CD3 Ab or peptide antigen. The Ab alone had no stimulatory effect on CD4 T cells. Biochemical experiments demonstrated that LP5 recognized the Thy-1 (CD90) molecule. Interestingly, the treatment of CD4 T cells with LP5 in vitro induced a temporary down-regulation of CD3 expression at the cell surface. TCR molecules were also affected. Other anti-CD90 Abs not inhibitory to CD4 T cell activation failed t... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412471 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412480&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21237202%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Freysdottir J, Sigurpalsson MB, Omarsdottir S, Olafsdottir ES, Vikingsson A, Hardardottir I Extracts and fractions from birch bark have been used to treat various diseases, such as skin disorders and rheumatism, and for analgesic effects. Results from studies in vitro and in vivo have shown that birch bark extracts can have immunoregulatory effects. These effects have mainly been attributed to the various triterpenes found in birch bark. The effects of birch bark from Betula pubescens on immune responses have not been reported. Ethanol extract was prepared from dry birch bark (DBBEE) and five fractions made using various ratios of dichloromethane and methanol (fractions I-V). Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) were matured with or without DBBEE or fractions I-V at se... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412480 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412479&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21237203%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Börjesson A, Rønn SG, Karlsen AE, Billestrup N, Sandler S We investigated the impact of β-cell specific overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signalling-3 (SOCS-3) on the development of multiple low dose streptozotocin (MLDSTZ) induced Type 1 diabetes and the possible mechanisms involved. MLDSTZ treatment was administered to RIP-SOCS-3 transgenic and wild-type (wt) mice and progression of hyperglycemia monitored. Isolated islets from both strains were exposed to human IL-1β (25U/ml) or a combination of human IL-1β (25U/ml) and murine IFN-γ (1000U/ml) for 24h or 48h and we investigated the expression of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) mRNA in islet cells and secretion of IL-1Ra into culture medium. MLDSTZ treatment caused gradual hyperglycemia both in the wt mice and... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412479 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412478&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21237204%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, we have established a simple, efficient, and reproducible in vitro FL-DC differentiation system from LSKs. This system could uncover novel findings on how myeloid neoplasm-related gene abnormalities differentially affect FL-DC differentiation from murine hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in a gene-specific manner. PMID: 21237204 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412478 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412477&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21237205%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we demonstrate that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) significantly up-regulated TLR-5 expression in human macrophage THP-1 cells by co-activating NF-κB and the RARα receptor and inducing the differentiation of CD11b(-)CD11c(-) THP-1 cells to CD11b(+)CD11c(low) cells. Furthermore, when stimulated with flagellin, ATRA-induced THP-1 cells expressed multiple cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1beta, and IL-12p40, and several co-stimulatory molecules, such as CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC class I and II. We also showed that when ATRA-induced THP-1 cells were stimulated with flagellin, the cells displayed an allostimulatory capacity rather than phagocytic activity. Taken together, our findings suggest that ATRA is a crucial immunostimulatory cofactor that induces the activation of macrop... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412477 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4412476&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21237206%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we demonstrate that the specificity of recognition of the epitope depends on the structural context in which the cognate epitope sequence is presented. The antibody does not tolerate any replacements of the DKW-flanking epitope amino acids and binds exclusively to the (L)DKWA sequence provided that it is presented by a 7-mer constrained peptide exposed by the M13 phage pIII protein. Our data proposes a novel epitope recognition model in which the 2F5 mAb requires a sequence longer than DKW and no substitution of flanking amino acids for specific recognition of the peptide. Additionally, immunization data supports the notion that the binding and neutralizing immunogenic structural features of the described epitope model do not coincide. PMID: 21237206 [PubMed - as supplie... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4412476 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4412476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349458&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21195729%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bueno SM, González PA, Riedel CA, Carreño LJ, Vásquez AE, Kalergis AM Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of childhood hospitalization and respiratory distress and has been recognized for several decades as a major health and economic burden worldwide. This virus has developed several virulence mechanisms to impair the establishment of a protective immune response to re-infection. Accordingly, inefficient immunological memory is usually generated after exposure to this pathogen. Furthermore, it has been shown that RSV can actively promote the induction of an inadequate cellular immune response at the site of infection that causes exacerbated inflammation in the respiratory tract. Such an inflammatory response is both inefficient for clearing the virus and... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349458 Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4349458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4280883&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21172388%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang Q, Ni W, Zhao X, Wang F, Gao Z, Tai G Maltose binding protein (MBP) is a component of the maltose transport system in the periplasm of Escherichia coli. It is commonly believed that MBP has minimal effects on the bioactivity, thus, it is widely used in the purification of recombinant proteins. Here, we found that the combined immunization with MBP and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) significantly inhibited tumor growth compared with MBP or BCG immunization alone in a mouse lung carcinoma model. Further studies showed that MBP nonspecifically activated T helper 1 (Th1) cells and enhanced the BCG-induced Th1 cells activation. Moreover, MBP or BCG immunization alone increased the activities of natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages, and the combined immunization with MBP ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4280883 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4280883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4280890&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21147165%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hamada-Tsutsumi S, Suzuki K, Akahori Y The use of phage-displayed antibody libraries has enabled the isolation of several thousand cancer-specific monoclonal antibodies. To further select for clones among these antibodies which have therapeutic potential for cancer, several types of in vitro anti-tumor assay, such as an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay, are required. The cytotoxic activities of effector cells are triggered by the binding of the Fc portion of IgG to its receptor, necessitating the conversion of a candidate clone with a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) form into a human IgG form. In the laboratory however, this conversion process is expensive and involves laborious steps such as the cloning of mammalian cells that contain an IgG ex... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4280890 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4280890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4280887&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21147166%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Paul A, Antony M, Mathai J, Appukuttan PS Dextran-binding immunoglobulin (DIg) and anti-β-glucan antibody (ABG) are naturally occurring human serum antibodies specific to α- and β- glucoside epitopes respectively of polysaccharide antigens and heavily enriched in IgA. ABG and DIg are shown here to have much more of their IgA in polymeric form than does serum IgA in general. Cell wall β-glucans and glycoproteins of the widely consumed yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) offered several hundred fold better ligands for ABG than did small β-glucosides. Candida albicans cell wall antigen (CCA), a commonly encountered polysaccharide-rich fungal antigen was recognized by normal human serum anti-carbohydrate antibodies to precipitate maximally at a definite stoichiometry typical of ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4280887 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4280887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4280885&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21147167%26dopt%3DAbstract CONCLUSION: Adjuvants determine which APCs are utilized in Ag-sensitization. PMID: 21147167 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4280885 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4280885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4252581&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21134402%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Aissa-Fennira FB, Sassy A, Bouguerra A, Benammar-Elgaaied A Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection is associated with the emergence of various autoimmune disorders and autoantibody production. The most common autoantibodies induced are of anti-I specificity and express cold agglutinin (CA) activity. However, the mechanisms by which the microbial infection triggers the appearance of these autoantibodies are still unknown. To investigate these mechanisms, we used BALB/c mice as experimental models. In this paper, we show that BALB/c mice polyclonal antisera to MP react with human CA IgMs, and reciprocally, that BALB/c mice polyclonal antisera to human IgM CA react with MP. However, antibodies directed against MP and against CA IgM triggered by both immunizations represent two sepa... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4252581 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4252581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4252582&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21129405%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Imaizumi T, Sato F, Tanaka H, Matsumiya T, Yoshida H, Yashiro-Aizawa T, Tsuruga K, Hayakari R, Kijima H, Satoh K Differentiated embryo-chondrocyte 2 (DEC2), a basic-helix-loop-helix transcriptional factor, is involved in various biological reactions by regulating the expression of its target genes. In the present study, we demonstrated DEC2 expression in response to the treatment with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), an authentic double-stranded RNA, in cultured human masangial cells. RNA interference against DEC2 enhanced the poly IC-induced expression of IFN-β and its downstream genes, retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) and CCL5. Knockdown of TLR3 abolished the poly IC-induced DEC2 expression. DEC2 expression may constitute a negative feedback system for the I... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4252582 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4252582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4252583&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21126536%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we examined the role of TOX in differentiation of human NK cells. Knockdown of TOX in differentiating cells decreased the NK cell population identified by expression of NK surface markers and receptors. In addition, over-expression of TOX enhanced the differentiation of NK cells which give rise to a population showing effector functions of mature NK cells. Moreover, TOX influenced expression of T-bet (T-box expressed in T cells, also as known as Tbx21) during NK cell development. Overall, these results suggest that TOX is required for IL-15-mediated NK cell differentiation and affected expression of T-bet that plays critical roles in NK differentiation and maturation. PMID: 21126536 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4252583 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4252583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4222048&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21115047%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang H, Meng R, Li Z, Yang B, Liu Y, Huang F, Zhang J, Chen H, Wu C IL-27, a member of IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family, is mainly produced by activated antigen presenting cells (APC). It has been demonstrated that IL-27 has the pro- and anti-inflammatory properties during immune responses. However, the signaling pathways that contribute to the cytokine generation are still unclear in humans. In the present study, we showed that IL-27 induced IL-10 and IFN-γ, but had no effect on IL-2, TNF-α and IL-4 production from human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs). For purified naive CD4 (+)T cells, IL-27 elicited the differentiation of Tr1- like cells with expression of IL-10 and IFN-γ. Importantly, this induction was dependent on the signal transducer and activator of trans... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4222048 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4222048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4222049&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21112354%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hoffmann S, Hosseini BH, Hecker M, Louban I, Bulbuc N, Garbi N, Wabnitz GH, Samstag Y, Spatz JP, Hämmerling GJ T-cell recognition of peptide-MHC complexes on APCs requires cell-cell interactions. The molecular events leading to T-cell activation have been extensively investigated, but the underlying physical binding forces between T-cells and APCs are largely unknown. We used single cell force spectroscopy for quantitation of interaction forces between T-cells and APCs presenting a tolerogenic peptide derived from myelin basic protein. When T-cells were brought into contact with peptide-loaded APCs, interaction forces increased with time from about 0.5 nN after 10seconds interaction to about 15 nN after 30minutes. In the absence of antigen, or when ICAM-1-negative APC were us... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4222049 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4222049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4203107&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21093483%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Engel P PMID: 21093483 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4203107 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4203107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4203106&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21094186%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wheeler DS, Dunsmore KE, Denenberg AG, Muething L, Poynter SE, Wong HR Heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72), a canonical intracellular molecular chaperone, may also function as an extracellular danger signal for the innate immune system. To further delineate the biological role of Hsp72 in the innate immune system, we generated two truncated versions of the full length human Hsp72 (N-terminus Hsp72, amino acids 1-430; and C-terminus Hsp72 amino acids 420-641) and directly compared their ability to activate cells from the macrophage/monocyte lineage. In RAW 264.7 macrophages transfected with a NF-κB-dependent luciferase reporter plasmid, C-terminus Hsp72 was a more potent inducer of NF-κB activity than N-terminus Hsp72, and this effect did not seem to be secondary to endotoxin conta... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4203106 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4203106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4203108&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21078343%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we have generated new anti-DC-SIGN monoclonal antibodies using HeLa cells stably expressing DC-SIGN as immunogen. We have obtained 11 hybridoma clones producing antibodies that recognized DC-SIGN on monocyte-derived dendritic cells and on dermal-type macrophages. Seven monoclonal antibodies displayed a capacity to interfere with DC-SIGN binding to HIV-1 gp120. One recognized DC-SIGN on formalin-fixed dendritic cells and macrophages. Using this antibody we have obtained specific labelling of DC-SIGN and colocalisation with the dermal macrophage CD163 marker on human skin. The described monoclonal anti-human DC-SIGN antibodies here will be of use to the scientific community to address fundamental immunology issues, in particular concerning macrophages and dendritic cells, and ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4203108 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4203108 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4169733&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21073898%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ahern DJ, Brennan FM Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system, originally described by their capacity to control tumor cells and eliminate virus-infected cells. However accumulating evidence suggests that NK cells can interact with various components of the immune system and play a critical role in autoimmune diseases by limiting or exacerbating immune responses. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by joint inflammation and cartilage and bone destruction. NK cells are enriched within the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis but how they contribute to disease pathology is currently not fully elucidated. This review will outline the current understanding of NK cell biology and how these cells may modulate dise... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4169733 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4169733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4169732&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21073899%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li D, Hua S, Fan Y, Xu S, Duan X, Liu L, Che Y, Li S, Tan Y The efficacy of immunization with DNA plasmids for single truncated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) peptide or triple repeated CEA peptides in mice was evaluated. A DNA fragment the truncated CEA gene (nucleotide 625-667) encoding two helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes was amplified by PCR and cloned for generating recombinant plasmids for single CEA(625-667) (pcDNA-CEA(625-667)) or triple CEA(625-667) (pcDNA-triCEA(625-667)), respectively. Subsequently, groups of BALB/c female mice were intramuscularly injected with pcDNA-CEA(625-667,) pcDNA-triCEA(625-667) or control pcDNA3.0 vector, respectively. Ten days after the last immunization, the frequency of splenic CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the mice was determined by fl... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4169732 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4169732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4140081&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21050873%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Su Y, Xie Z, Xin G, Zhao L, Li K Predator exposure is a naturalistic stressor that is likely to elicit a stressful response pattern similar to those experienced in the real world. As a consequence of stress, HPA hormonal activity and the alteration of mediators such as cytokines may result. Behavioral asymmetry, as assessed by paw preference, exerted effects on immune responses and peripheral cytokine production, observed after exposure to the physical stimuli. Thus, we hypothesized that behavioral asymmetry can modulate mouse brain interleukins and HPA activity after exposure to an internally generated psychological stress source. To determine the impact of behavioral asymmetry, mice were divided into left- and right-pawed groups by paw preference. Then, the mice received eit... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4140081 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4140081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4140088&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21047529%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim JY, Huh K, Jung R, Kim TJ Syk, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, is an essential signaling molecule in B cells and other hematopoietic cells. Recently, its unexpected diverse functions were recognized in the regulation of cellular adhesion, innate immune recognition, vascular development, and carcinogenesis. Despite its pleiotropic role, only a few substrate proteins have been identified. To find new substrate proteins for Syk, we performed a systemic in vitro kinase assay using GST fusion peptides to determine the substrate specificity surrounding the tyrosine residue to be phosphorylated. Substitution of amino acid residues surrounding tyrosine 178 of BLNK, a principal Syk substrate in B cell receptor-mediated signaling, revealed that acidic residues at sites -5 to -1 were... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4140088 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4140088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4140100&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21040744%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yamamoto A, Ashihara E, Nakagawa Y, Obayashi H, Ohta M, Hara H, Adachi T, Seno T, Kadoya M, Hamaguchi M, Ishino H, Kohno M, Maekawa T, Kawahito Y Allograft inflammatory factor (AIF)-1 has been identified in chronic rejection of rat cardiac allografts and is thought to be involved in the immune response. We previously showed that AIF-1 was strongly expressed in synovial tissues in rheumatoid arthritis and that rAIF-1 increased the IL-6 production of synoviocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Recently, the expression of AIF-1 has been reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc) tissues, whose clinical features and histopathology are similar to those of chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). To clarify the pathogenic mechanism of fibrosis, we examined the expression and functio... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4140100 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4140100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4140095&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21040745%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Goldsmith M, Daka A, Lamour NF, Mashiach R, Glucksam Y, Meijler MM, Chalfant CE, Zor T Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is an important mediator of the inflammatory response. Phospho-ceramide analogue-1 (PCERA-1), a synthetic phospholipid-like molecule, was previously reported to modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production. We show here that PCERA-1 inhibited LPS-stimulated PGE(2) production in RAW264.7 macrophages, without affecting COX-2 expression. Furthermore, PCERA-1 efficiently suppressed arachidonic acid (AA) release in response to LPS. The dephosphorylated derivative of PCERA-1, ceramide analogue-1 (CERA-1), mimicked the inhibitory effect of PCERA-1 on AA release and PGE(2) production in macrophages. Inhibition of PGE(2) production by CERA-1 was completely rescu... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4140095 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4140095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4140104&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21035507%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sidiq T, Khajuria A, Suden P, Singh S, Satti NK, Suri KA, Johri RK The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the adjuvant potential of a novel sarsasapogenin glycoside (immunoside) isolated from Asparagus racemosus in combination with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Various in vitro and animal derived protocols were used to determine the response of immunoside adjuvanted with HBsAg and the results were compared with alum adjuvanted with HBsAg. Several biomarkers such as antibody titre (IgG, IgG1/IgG2a) were measured in mice sera. Cell proliferation, cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-4), and lymphocyte sub-populations (CD4/CD8, CD3 and CD19) were determined in splenocytes from mice administered subcutaneously with test substances. In these cells CD4/CD8 derived IFN... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4140104 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4140104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4108480&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20974178%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wu ZP, Bilousova T, Escande-Beillard N, Dang H, Hsieh T, Tian J, Kaufman DL Studies of mice deficient in classical major histocompatability complex class I (MHCI) revealed that MHCI plays an important role in neurodevelopment in the central nervous system. We previously studied the effects of recombinant MHCI molecules on wildtype retina explants and observed that MHCI can inhibit retina neurite outgrowth, with self-MHCI molecules having greater inhibitory effect than non-self MHCI molecules. Here, we examined classical MHCI's effects on axon outgrowth from neurons of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). We used the embryonic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) explant model since their neurons express MHCI and because DRG explants have been widely used to assess the effects of molecule... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4108480 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4108480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4108481&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20970455%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ding Y, Ju X, Azlan M, Hart DN, Clark GJ Dendritic cells (DC) are a heterogeneous population of bone marrow derived leucocytes that are essential in the initiation of primary T lymphocyte responses. DC are identified as Lineage negative, HLA-DR(+) blood cells that can be further subdivided by CD11c to distinguish CD11c(+) DC and the CD11c(-) plasmacytoid DC. Plasmacytoid DC are the primary IFNα producing cells and express CD303, CD304 and CD123. The CD11c(+) myeloid DC can be divided into populations by CD1c, CD16 and CD141 expression. Despite DC being a functionally unique population, they share many cell surface antigens with myeloid lineage cells and B lymphocytes. We used flow cytometry to screen fresh human blood DC populations with the HLDA9 panel of sixty-three directl... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4108481 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4108481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4090513&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20955735%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Iwamura H, Saito Y, Sato-Hashimoto M, Ohnishi H, Murata Y, Okazawa H, Kanazawa Y, Kaneko T, Kusakari S, Kotani T, Nojima Y, Matozaki T Signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) is an immunoglobulin superfamily protein that is predominantly expressed in dendritic cells (DCs). Its cytoplasmic region binds SHP-1 or SHP-2 protein tyrosine phosphatases, while its extracellular region interacts with CD47, another immunoglobulin superfamily protein, constituting cell-cell signaling. SIRPα was previously shown to be important for development of contact hypersensitivity, likely as a result of its positive regulation of the priming by DCs of CD4(+) T cells. However, the mechanism by which SIRPα regulates DC functions remains unknown. Here we found that the number of I-A(+) cells, which re... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4090513 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4090513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4090526&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20951740%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Llinàs L, Lázaro A, de Salort J, Matesanz-Isabel J, Sintes J, Engel P Cell surface molecules are present on several lymphocyte subsets and are differentially expressed during lymphocyte development and activation. Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens (HLDA) Workshops have played an essential role in the identification and characterization of the molecules found in the membrane of hematopoietic cells. In the present study, the reactivities of sixty-five monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) submitted to the HLDA9 Workshop were tested. A multicolor flow cytometric analysis was performed in order to determine the expression profiles of these proteins on peripheral blood lymphocytes, hematopoietic cell lines, and tonsil B-cell. The following B-cell subsets were assessed: mature naïv... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4090526 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4090526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4090524&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20951741%26dopt%3DAbstract This study may be useful to better define specific antigen profile of different PC-BCL entities leading to a correct diagnosis. PMID: 20951741 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4090524 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4090524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4090522&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20951742%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Faure GC, Amsellem S, Arnoulet C, Bardet V, Campos L, De Carvalho-Bittencourt M, de Labarthe A, Eischen A, Feuillard J, Fossat C, Ottou FG, Guérin E, Guy J, Jouault H, Kuhlein E, Lacombe F, Lainey E, Maynadié M, Noguera ME, Roussel M, Solly F, Ballon OW, Béné MC, The B-cell panel of the ninth HLDA was applied in a multicentre fashion to cryopreserved cells from 46 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The reagents were aliquoted and shipped to volunteer participants from the French Groupe d'Etude Immunologique des Leucémies (GEIL). All samples were tested in flow cytometry, and the results collected as of the strength of labelling of the leukemic clone as negative, weak or strong. Among the 64 antibodies tested, the strongest and most frequent staining was observed... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4090522 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4090522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4090528&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20946917%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lee-Chang C, Lefranc D, Salleron J, Faveeuw C, Allet C, Vermersch P, Oxombre B, Prin L B cells possess the ability to regulate either pathogenic or protective events in several autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and its experimental model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Given the extensive use of B-cell-targeting treatments, it appears crucial to more precisely define the dual role of B cells in the progression of the disease. In the present study, we explored the impact of EAE induction on the distribution of potential regulatory B-cell subsets (CD5(+) B1a, marginal zone and transitional 2 B cells) over critical time points in the relapsing-remitting EAEmodel, SJL/J (H2s). The same approach was carried out in B10.S mice that are resistant to... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4090528 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4090528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4090530&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20946916%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rocio RM, Santiago MM, Lorena M, Marta C, María RP, Adriana L, Giovanna R The study of human leukocyte antigens, predominantly by monoclonal antibody (mAb) techniques, has become a fundamental part of basic research and clinical investigation. In particular, mAbs have allowed a more precise phenotypic dissection of lymphocyte subsets and have increased our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate humoral immunity and tumour transformation. In the present study we have investigated the expression, in both reactive and neoplastic lymphoid tissues, of a panel of HLDA9 mAbs (TRAIL-R2 (CD262), CCR6 (CD196), HVEM (CD270), Galectin-3 and BAFF-R (CD268)) capable of recognizing their target molecules in paraffin-embedded tissue sections. A series of reactive lymphoid tissues and ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4090530 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4090530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4066032&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20937307%26dopt%3DAbstract CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the RA patients have a significantly lower level of DNA methylation than the controls. Moreover, RA patients have higher expressions of DNMT1 and MBD2 mRNA. The anti-TNFα biological agents do not seem to affect DNA methylation and mRNA expressions of DNMT1 and MBD2 in RA patients. PMID: 20937307 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Immunology Letters) Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4066032 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4066032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4066031&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20937308%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mádi A, Majai G, Koy C, Vámosi G, Szántó A, Glocker MO, Fésüs L Macrophages eliminate apoptotic granulocytes before their secondary necrosis during resolution of inflammation. A well-known glucocorticoid, the anti-inflammatory dexamethasone augments phagocytosis capacity of macrophages with a so far not fully clarified mechanism. We have found that sialylation of cell-surface proteins on human macrophages is markedly altered by dexamethasone. Compared to non-treated cells, dexamethasone-treated macrophages can bind significantly less Sambucus nigra lectin specific for sialic acids on their surfaces as a result of undersialylation of annexin-II and an HLA-II protein. Non-treated macrophages covered by Sambucus nigra lectin had increased uptake of apoptotic cells; however,... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4066031 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4066031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4066030&cid=s_35627_3_f&fid=35627&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20937309%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Oros-Pantoja R, Jarillo-Luna A, Rivera-Aguilar V, Sánchez-Torres LE, Godinez-Victoria M, Campos-Rodríguez R The effects of stress on the mucosal immune responses in inflammatory disorders of the gut, as well as on salivary and intestinal IgA levels are well known. However, its effects on the structure and function of the NALT have not yet been reported, and are examined in the present study. Balb/C mice were submitted to restraint stress for 3 h per day during 4 or 8 d. The immunohistochemistry and flow cytometric analysis revealed that repeated restraint stress (4 and 8 d) decreased the percentage, compared to the control group, of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells, without affecting the percentage of CD8(+) T cells or B220+ cells (B cells). The numbers of IELs (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) ... Immunology Letters journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4066030 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4066030